#combiners

[constructiqueers]

On my hands and knees Swindle or vortex please…

Haha hey buddy whats that stuff

[darksilvania]

Shiny ROTOM, ROTOMEISTER & ROTOMEISTER-V

Color Palette heavily inspired by the constructicons from transformers

[spect-era]

this 🫴 is your 🫵 sign 🪧 to draw ✍️ The Combaticons 🚀💥🚁🚨🚛💥💥💥 :D

YAAAAA!!

[arceespinkgun]

im pretty sure dwj has expressed how difficult it is to write for the combiners, as there's simply too many of them to give enough focus or characterisation for to fit in the comic. its the same problem they had in idw with the constructicons. they just need the combiner groups to combine and make a giant combiner, so they pass over the individual characterisation to make them similar

its something i fully expected as a combiner lover, even in the g1 cartoon those guys had not much depth to them. unless we get a combiner focused story only, it unlikely any story will write the combiners with depth and individuality

I think he has said that, you're right, but I'm not talking about a focus when I'm saying it's disappointing. I don't actually think it's difficult at all to give the characters personalities and characterization. Like, IDW didn't actually always have this problem with the Constructicons. Shane McCarthy in All Hail Megatron (a story not focused on the Constructicons, in which they are just there to execute Megatron's plans) actually gave them their individual characterizations and let them all shine through in some little moments! He let Scrapper be sadistic and Hook arrogant and Mixmaster confused by the quality of human building materials.

The G1 cartoon was designed to sell toys and I'll give it credit here—even in episodes that weren't about a Combiner team, when individual members or gestalts showed up, often any little bit of dialogue or action they got was used to show what they're like. I can still remember little details like Breakdown getting words wrong or Abominus practically being a snarling animal.

Just because the Constructicons are all happy to be following Soundwave right now and the Combaticons are all happy to be following Starscream right now doesn't mean they can't have some individuation. So far, I feel like only maybe Onslaught has any semblance of his personality whatsoever.

[they-hermes]

earth’s greatest protector

[starscreams-crown]

Devastator: "Prepare for devastation, Bruticus!!!"

[theoldspark]

Me realising Galvatron had a point about the Enigma of Combination.

HEAR ME OUT

The Enigma of Combination is basically a tool to force a non-consensual (in most cases) connection between two or more mechanisms which cause dependency, abrupt shift in personality and thought and an overall change on a person that can be compared to the result of Shadowplay on a Cybertronian.

First, it happened with Prowl. Although the Enigma was not involved in this case, it is still on the topic of forced combination.

The combination between Prowl and the Constructicons caused a shift in Prowl. He started acting more out of line, recklessly. From this point on it's when Prowl's character gradually becomes less "character who makes the necessary sacrifices for the cause" and starts entering the bad guy territory (although that's hardly a low standard in idw transformers).

(Although later it's revealed more questionable stuff he's done in the past way before Devastator, it's only after this that he starts taking a more direct and less calculating approach, which to me is uncharacteristic of him. But I digress.)

Then comes the Enigma of Combination, and with that the character that will help me make my point: Optimus Prime.

I'll make a quick summary and then I'll get to the point.

Prowl, with Rattrap's help and the Enigma, forces Optimus (and unintentionally Sunstreaker, Ironhide and Mirage) to combine into Optimus Maximus.

Battle is over, they uncombine, Prowl is taken back to jail.

After all of this happens, you start noticing a change in Optimus. He starts acting uncharacteristically. He's more manipulative, more quick to dismiss the most peaceful approaches, and starts speaking in a manner that doesn't give off his usual sincerity. Basically, it's a whole shift in his personality.

And you know what's curious about that? Everyone notices. Everyone's talking about it. They know Optimus is not acting himself. And Galvatron says something about this!

And you can see Prowl's influence!

It's still Optimus, certainly. The things he wants, the things he says, those are him. But they get twisted, and they start sounding more like someone who's trying to sound like Optimus, but doesn't quite succeed.

And all that goes back to the time he combined with Prowl.

(like, c'mon, the symbolism in this cover can't be more obvious)

[therobotsarestuckinmyhead]

random ramble but do you guys think transformers can feel what each other feel when they combine? like hear their thoughts? is it just their frames that merge? do they need to have a common denominator for it to work? can they catch small glimpses of each other's memories since they're becoming a single entity? how does it feel to have your frame components move like that, would it hurt to combine? does the combiner (main entity that takes over) have access to the memories of each individual that brings it to existence?

do combiners, as in the main entity that takes over when they combine, even have its own memories?

combining is literally becoming one with a group of people and each combiner got their own personality (but it's pretty one dimensional). i know the enigma of combination brings about combiners, IDW and each continuity has their explanation as to why combiners exist and why they combine but what about how combining works? like the technical stuff? it's so fascinating.

everyone asks why are combiners instead of how are combiners...

[blueikeproductions]

Part of an idea @dynared and I have discussed about Skybound Spike getting the Cyborg Gai treatment to combine and form Fortress Maximus.

[menasors]

Big brother Devs

[pokepokee]

doesn't matter if it be the BEST one or SEXYMAN or IDK go choose your favorite!!

[constructiqueers]

Tryingvt to figure this big bastard out

[aeonmagnus]

FansProject Retro-Future Glacialord.

[yan-randomfandom]

Bruticus x Mech!Reader

synopsis: you, a lone neutral in the middle of war, suddenly find an unconscious combiner on your doorstep. a/n: guess who my fav combiner is (⁠◠⁠‿⁠◕⁠) also mistakes are everywhere 'round here,, that's a warning

— 🪫

Being a neutral in Cybertronian war, even if it may seem mundane, is not something to be taken lightly—knowing that you have no guaranteed protection, every mech for themselves, and energon nowhere near a silver platter.

At least, that's how it is for you. Not only are you a neutral, but you also travel alone, avoiding companionship from even fellow neutrals.

— Your cycle had been going smoothly. Supplies traded, objectives met, everything functioning with ease.

That is, until you returned to homebase, and out of nowhere—a gigantic, collapsed combiner sprawled in front of the entrance. Lamely blocking your path. Face-first on the ground too.

Narrowing your optics at the strange sight, your guard rises higher and higher. You listen to the low purrs of their engines, faint enough to be dormant. There is nothing else in your surroundings to be heard but the distant hum of the fallen Iacon. Then it should be safe, you suppose? No other hidden sparks?

You can't see their symbol—but slag, Primus knows you don't give a flying klik on which fraction they came from. Autobot, Decepticon, all the same to you at this point. This isn't a neutral either; there are deep scratches and burns on their frame, the telltale signs of war.

Which is why you completely avoided the sleeping combiner, fast-walking around its frame until you reached your front door.

They will have someone coming for them soon enough. A combiner isn't something to lose so easily.

You look around your base for good measure, deeming it satisfactory in the disguise department. It blends with the structures around it—half-destroyed thanks to the combiner. Whatever. Good enough. No one should suspect a thing. Sure, you do have other bases, but it would be so annoying if they spot you—maybe it'd even the end of your spark.

...

There's a low rumble. Quickly, you turn around, powering up your weapon—

You tense at the combiner's large, red optics. His head now turned, a relentless gaze boring into you.

For a few kliks, he only stares unblinkingly, almost making you believe he’s malfunctioning.

"Don't... hurt Bruticus," he says suddenly, a raspy voice deep and slow, like it's taking everything in him to speak.

Gritting your denta, you shut the entrance close on him. Well, then, you have to start packing this base up. Not safe anymore.

Either way, they should be gone tomorrow.

— 💤

Bruticus is, in fact, not gone.

A cycle has already passed. You opened the door with all hope that he's been retrieved—but no. He's still lying there, head in the same position as when he startled you, optics presently offline. Must still be in recharge.

You bite back an irritated scream; this is nothing but a sign of trouble. Bruticus is clearly in pain, though, so something must be severely damaged to the mechs that make him up themselves. Maybe—you don't really know much about combiners.

Still, you can't afford scrap about whatever happened to them. You step around the frame again and go forward on your cycle—to gather some moving crates.

It’s a quick trip, but maybe he'll be gone once you come back.

— 📦

He's still here.

Stepping around him again, at this point, there's no point in bothering anymore. While your sensors show no one else nearby, that could change in an instant. You have to abandon this base, the sense of urgency skyrocketing in your processor.

Except you slowly take a moment to look back.

His optics are online. You jolt from surprise, your crates fumbling in your arms, suddenly feeling very exposed under his stare.

"You—"

"...Where is Bruticus?"

You pause. The question catches you off-guard. "What?"

"Bruticus can't... move," he says, followed by a long groan escaping his engine.

"I'm sure someone will come find you," you murmur, ignoring the guilt bubbling in your spark.

"I am abandoned," he grunts. "Exiled."

...

... Frag.

You drop everything and walk inside your base.

Then, you come back out, medical supplies in your servos.

— 🪫

(cut-off) bonus:

You were saving these for yourself but nevermind then. Looking up, he's still staring at you with those big old eyes. Slag it.

Slowly, you begin to take steps forward.

The conbiner vents a heavy sigh. "Go away. Bruticus don't want you here—!"

"Relax, big bot," you say calmly, holding up one free servo. "I'm here to help. I won't hurt you. This is a medkit, see?"

— it's short because i KNOW the mistakes and i dont want to expand on it rip

— many mistakes here but i got too far so just take it as it is 💔💔 L moment of me its so skill issue im sorry bruticus i love you

[safe-and-sound-bright-day]

A new scenario.

Last pic was an accident when I trying to put Silverbolt near Motormaster (with a fighting back figure). Silverbolt's wing knocked Air Raid off and Air Raid directly fall into Mixmaster's hug. I laughed out loudly and took a photo.