Triple Changer

Triple Changers (Tripletrons in Japan) are Transformers that can transform from robot into two different alternate modes.

Transformers: Generation 1

No particular origin was given to the Triple Changers in most storylines. According to the Dreamwave Productions comic, The Triple Changers were the result of experiments by Shockwave to produce a robot with more than one alternate mode. Failed attempts resulted in the Duocons. The first successful Triple Changer was Springer, followed by Blitzwing. Later, they were joined by Astrotrain, Broadside, Sandstorm and Octane. Triple Changers can change between their multiple alternate modes twice as fast as most Transformers. Dreamwave's More Than Meets The Eye series additionally described the Headmaster Horrorcons Apeface and Snapdragon as Triple Changers. In 2005, an E-hobby repaint of Blitzwing named Overcharge was released, making him another Triple Changer by default.

The G1 Triple Changers' alternate modes consist of the following:

• Apeface
  Cybertronian jet / transmetal gorilla
• Astrotrain
  D-62 (Japanese) 2-8-4 steam locomotive / space shuttle
• Blitzwing
  Mitsubishi Type 74 main battle tank / (Soviet) MiG-25 "Foxbat" jet fighter
• Broadside
  F/A-18 Hornet / aircraft carrier
• Octane
  Tanker truck / Boeing KC-767 jumbo jet
• Overcharge
  See Blitzwing.
• Sandstorm
  Dune buggy / transport helicopter
• Snapdragon
  Cybertronian jet / transmetal dinosaur
• Springer
  Cybertronian car / helicopter

File:Csscorponok2.jpg

Scorponok in scorpion mode

Although there are many examples of other Transformers with 2 alternate modes, the group mentioned above are the only ones that officially possess the official designation. Some other G1 Transformers with three modes include:

• Doubledealer
  Autobot Missile Truck / Decepticon falcon
• Galvatron
  Cannon / laser pistol
• Metroplex
  City / battle station
• Scorponok
  City / robot scorpion
• Trypticon
  Battle station / city / robot dinosaur
• Scattershot
  Cybertronian plane / cannon
• Punch-Counterpunch
  Autobot robot / Decepticon robot / Pontiac Fiero car
• Fortress Maximus
  City / battle station
• Seacons
  With the exception of Snaptrap (tortoise), the other 5 Seacons - Nautilator, Overbite, Seawing, Skalor and Tentakill - could transform into both their sea creature modes (lobster, shark, manta ray, coelacanth and octopus, respectively) and a weapon mode for use by their combined form, Piranacon (Piranaking in some fiction).
• Cerebros
  Human base, Fortress Maximus head.
• Tracks
  Car / flying car.

Technically, all Transformers that are parts of a gestalt could also be called triple changers, as they have a robot mode, a vehicle mode and a body part mode, however, most fans only consider forms that a robot can form all by itself for being a Triple Changer.

The Decepticon Sixshot and the Autobot Quickswitch have a robot mode and 5 alternate modes. So technically, they are not Triple Changers because they have more than 3 modes.

According to Transformers Generations, Takara was slated to releases at least one more Triple Changer to add to the original 3 Decepticon Triple Changers: Drop Shot. He would have been the first carded Triple Changer and his alt modes would been that of an F-15, and a horse (which has been confused for a dragon by some). He later played a small role in Dreamwave's Transformers: Armada comic series.

Transformers: Generation 2

The commercial for Generation 2 Dreadwing actually had him say "No one can escape Triple Changing Dreading!" In a second shorter commercial the announcer actually says "Dreadwing is a Triple Changer."

Beast Wars

In Beast Wars, the term Triple Changer was replaced with Three Mode Conversion. Oddly though, the commercial for Rampage and Depth Charge mentioned that they had "Triple changing action."

When IDW Publishing printed it's Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook it specifically mentioned the Maximals B'Boom and Bigmos as Triple Changers, but most of the other Transformers with a third mode were given names like "Mode 3" and "third form".

Unicron Trilogy

Transformers: Armada

In the Transformers: Armada series, Laserbeak is described as a Triple Changer on the packaging. The Transformers: Armada More Than Meets The Eye profile series from Dreamwave Comics also lists Overrun as a Triple Changer, but states that he, like many Mini-Cons are "Triple Changers" with a weapon mode. This would imply that any Mini-Con with a weapon mode is a Triple Changer.

• Laserbeak
  Video Camera / Gun / Bird
• Overrun
  Jet / Gun
• Prowl
  police car / gun
• Makeshift
  Osprey / Dual Gatling guns
• Firebot
  fire truck/missile launcher pod
• Terradive
  Futuristic versions of SR-71 / gauntlet
• Gunbarrel
  cargo plane / machine gun
• Thunderwing
  jet / throwing star

Transformers: Energon

In Transformers: Energon, Scorponok is described is a Triple Changer on his packaging. When Hasbro/Takara first envisioned the concept for Energon, the Autobots were to be combiners with a "Powerlinx" feature, while Decepticons were to be Triple Changers, but this was abandoned for most of the Decepticons having a "hyper-power" mode, which usually just revealed more weapons.

• Scorponok
  transmetal scorpion-like construction vehicle/Cybertronian jet.

Transformers: Cybertron

The following Transformers: Cybertron toys are described as Triple Changers on their packaging:

• Anti-Blaze
  Fire truck / Gun
• Checkpoint
  Police Car / Gun
• Megatron / Galvatron
  Race Car / Jet
• Dark Scorponok
  remolded Energon Scorponok
• Scythe
  Helicopter / Gun
• Cryo Scourge
  Despite being a mere recolor of Scourge who was not described as a Triple Changer, Cryo Scourge is described as a Triple Changer for being able to turn into a single-headed or a three-headed dragon.
• Optimus Prime
  fire truck / "jet"

Some Mini-Cons have a third mode, but are not labeled as Triple Changers.

• Razorclaw
  Jet / Gun
• Shockwave
  Jet / Gun
• Sky Lynx
  Jet / Gun

Transformers: Universe

In the Transformers: Universe toy line, Armada Overrun was repainted and released as the Mini-Con partner to Ultra Magnus.

• Overrun
• Tankor

Transformers Classics

The Transformers Classics toy line so far has two Triple Changers.

• Astrotrain
  bullet train / space shuttle
• Tankor (Octane)
  tanker truck / cargo Jet

Transformers Movie

• Shockwave
  AH-64 Apache helicopter / Artillery Gun

Transformers Animated

• Blitzwing
  Tank / Jet Fighter

Note: Shockwave (who turns into a tank) can disguise himself an an Autobot whose alternate mode is a crane. He technically has four modes, and is not listed as a Triple Changer on his box.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

• Megatron - Cybertronian Jet and a tank
• Soundwave - The package for Deluxe Soundwave states he is a Triple Changer. He turns from Cybertronian jet to satellite.
• Mixmaster - Turns from concrete mixer to "battle mode".

Although the Deluxe Rampage toy has a "Jackhammer Mode" the packaging does not list him as a Triple Changer. Although the toy is not a Triple Changer, in the film Megatron has two alternate modes, a Cybertronian tank and a Cybertronian jet.

References

McDonough J. & Patyk A., 2004,"Transformers More Than Meets The Eye Official Guidebook, volume 2" Dreamwave Productions. ISBN 0-9733817-7-9

Transformers Generations, 2001. ISBN 4-7669-3800-3