Astrotrain is a Decepticon soldier, strategist and troop carrier. As a Triple Changer, he has three different forms: his standard robot mode, a locomotive train and a space shuttle. He can interchange between each of these forms near instantaneously, which can greatly confuse his foes. Sowing confusion is Astrotrain's specialty, as well as his favourite hobby. Confronting Autobots in enclosed, low-visibility areas allows him to severely perplex the enemy with his swift transformations, making them wonder if they're fighting one Decepticon or more. He loves combat but does not get to participate as often as he'd like as he usually consumes all his fuel just getting his comrades to the battlefield.
History[]
The Transformers (G1 cartoon and movie)[]
Astrotrain first appeared during the second season of the cartoon series, though it is not shown precisely how or when he arrived on Earth. He made his first appearance in the episode "Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2", in which the Decepticons had tricked humanity into believing that the Autobots were evil, exiling them into deep space. With the Autobots gone, the Decepticons then began enslaving the humans, with Astrotrain acting as a slave driver in an energy mine. Of course, the Decepticons were sent packing when the Autobots returned after the deception was exposed.
In "The God Gambit", Astrotrain shot down Cosmos above the moon of Titan while the latter was on a scouting mission. After landing on Titan, Astrotrain, Starscream and Thrust met the natives and Astrotrain tricked them into believing that he was one of their Sky Gods. Allying themselves with the corrupt High Priest Jero, the three Decepticons manipulated the Titans into mining energy crystals for them. Their scheme was exposed after the Autobots Jazz, Perceptor and Omega Supremearrived in search of Cosmos, who revealed that the Decepticons had tricked them and were merely alien robots and not gods. After the depleted Omega Supreme was supplied with energy crystals, he attacked the Decepticons, who were no match for him. In an act of spite, Astrotrain detonated a deposit of crystals before he, Starscream and Thrust left the Titans to die, although the Autobots would manage to save them.
Having gotten a taste of power from the incident on Titan, Astrotrain decided that he liked it. In "Triple Takeover", he and Blitzwing joined forces to overthrow Megatron, luring he and Starscream into a trap in the sewers that left them frozen. While the two initially worked together, they each decided to assume sole leadership, with Astrotrain building an army of automated drone trains. Although he had managed to build up a large supply of energon, Astrotrain's actions led to the accidental flooding of the city and the thawing of Megatron, who took back his position as Decepticon leader.
In "Prime Target", big game hunter Lord Chumley used Astrotrain's likeness as a lure to capture Tracks and Bumblebee. Megatron later sent the real Astrotrain (as well as Blitzwing) to go negotiate with Chumley so they could team up to annihilate the Autobots. The Triple Changers arrived in time to see Optimus Prime refuse to rescue a distressed young woman. Astrotrain was curious, but Blitzwing fell for the ruse and got stuck, so Astrotrain was left with no other option but going to the castle to free him. On his way there, Astrotrain found Chumley using a robotic scorpion to fight Optimus, and proposed Megatron's deal. Chumley responded by flinging the Decepticon away, hanging him up to the walls, and defusing his weapons. Astrotrain was frustrated and explained himself, but Chumley rejected the notion and claimed he'd rather have the help of an aardvark. But as Prime inched closer, Chumley panicked and freed the Decepticons, who promptly made their getaway. He learned that day, to never trust Decepticons.
In Transformers: The Movie, twenty years after his arrival on Earth, Astrotrain joined the Decepticon assault on Autobot City. He would survive the battle relatively unscathed and his shuttle mode provided the Decepticons with an escape vehicle as they retreated. However, he did not have the fuel reserves to make it back to Cybertron with the amount of mass he was carrying, and so the Decepticons discarded their wounded, including Megatron, into deep space. After returning to Cybertron, Astrotrain acted as crown bearer in Starscream's coronation ceremony, though the event was interrupted by the arrival of Galvatron, who promptly killed Starscream and became Decepticon leader.
Following the conflict with Unicron, the Decepticons lost their hold on Cybertron and were exiled to the barren world of Chaar, Astrotrain among them.
Marvel Comics[]
To be added.
Dreamwave Comics[]
To be added.
IDW Publishing[]
To be added.
Capabilities[]
- Triple Changer - Astrotrain has three forms: robot, train and space shuttle. His locomotive form can travel on or off rails with a top speed of 400 mph. His shuttle mode can achieve orbit under his own power with a top speed of 20,000 mph. If he carries an additional fuel supply, he can break orbit and travel through space at 50,000 mph.
- Capacity - As a troop transport, Astrotrain can carry several Decepticons in either vehicle mode. While travelling in space in shuttle form, he can deploy satellite and weapon platforms from his hold.
- Ion Displacement Rifle - Astrotrain's primary weapon in robot mode, capable of breaking down the molecular bonds in metal alloys.
Inconsistencies[]
In the 1984 Transformers cartoon, Astrotrain's size never seems to stay the same. In his robot mode he is shown to be above the average Transformer size, but not to a great extent, so it doesn't seem physically possible for him to carry as many Decepticons as he does in either vehicle mode. He has also shown to be capable of transforming from one vehicle to another whilst carrying passengers without causing any harm to them or himself.