History Characters / TransformersPrimeAutobots

* Foil: To fellow SixthRanger Smokescreen. While Smokescreen is a young, fun loving rookie, Ultra Magnus is a battle-hardened veteran, and ''very'' by-the-book.

Ultra Magnus served as Optimus Prime's lieutenant during the war for Cybertron.

In Season 3, he revealed to have followed the Omega beam to Earth, where his sensors detected most of Team Prime on the planet.

* Foil: To fellow SixthRanger Smokescreen. While Smokescreen is a confident and

** SixthRanger: Wheeljack, Smokescreen, [[spoiler:Ultra Magnus.]]

* MildlyMilitary: With the exception of [[spoiler:Ultra Magnus.]]

The leader of the Wreckers, Ultra Magnus has quite the reputation among the Decepticons... for being as tough and hard-to-defeat as Optimus Prime himself. Wielding a mighty battle hammer, there's no battlefield he's stepped on that he hasn't walked away from the victor. Ultra Magnus appears in the ''Rage of the Dinobots'' prequel comic by IDW Publishing.

** SixthRanger: Wheeljack, Smokescreen.

* MildlyMilitary

* WeHardlyKnewYe: We didn't even ''see'' you, and your ship appeared for a grand total of ten or so seconds before it got blown up.

* AntiHero: A blend of Types II and III. He's of the "has no sense of subtlety" and "rebels against authority" variety.

* BigGood: The ''leader'' of the Wreckers, folks.

* AntiHero: What happened to her former partners has left her as something of a KnightInSourArmour.

* MoralDissonance: Though he's usually an all-around NiceGuy, he has moments of this - see WhatTheHellHero.

* AntiHero: Slight shades of Type II every now and then.

* MoralDissonance: Though he's usually an all-around NiceGuy, he has moments of this several times -- specifically, in "Speed Metal", deciding to leave Jack's rival Vince to the Decepticons because "the guy's a jerk." [[WhatTheHellHero Jack calls him out on it.]]

--''[[PreAsskickingOneLiner It's all right, I'm an emergency vehicle!]]''

-->"I '''chose''' my side."

-->"[[AndThisIsFor This is for Cliffjumper!]]"

-->"[[PreAsskickingOneLiner It's all right, I'm an emergency vehicle!]]"

-->"[[PreAsskickingOneLiner Who's ready to rumble?]]"

!![[color:purple:Cliffjumper]]
[[quoteright:296:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Cliffjumper_Prime_4736.png]]
[[caption-width-right:300:[[hottip:Click here to see his Alt-mode:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/CliffjumperAlt_2556.png]]]]
-->"[[PreAsskickingOneLiner Fair warning, boys... I'll put a few dings in ya.]]"

->Voiced by: DwayneJohnson (Season 1), Billy Brown (Season 2)

A born fighter, Cliffjumper doesn't hesitate to get involved with a scuffle and is sometimes antsy when there aren't any 'Cons to scrap. He spent a good deal of time with Arcee, with some implications of a bond that extended beyond simple friends.

* TheBigGuy: Fairly obvious.

* CameBackWrong: He is resurrected by Megatron in the second episode as a test for Dark Energon, but comes back as a mindless zombie/berserker. Of course, ''Megatron'' is perfectly happy with this.
* CoolCar: A 70's Dodge Challenger with bull horns on the hood, to be exact.
* ADayInTheLimelight: His appearance in "Out Of The Past".
* DeaderThanDead: He gets a very sharp hand shoved through his chest. Then Megatron turns him into a zombie, cuts him in half, and drops him down a mineshaft. Then Starscream blows up the mine with a very powerful bomb.

* DeadSidekick[=/=]DeadPartner: To Arcee.
* DeadStarWalking
* FourTemperamentEnsemble: Sanguine.
* HalfTheManHeUsedToBe: Courtesy of Megatron, while zombified.
* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: How Starscream kills him.
* KilledOffForReal
* MauveShirt
* MotorMouth
* PosthumousCharacter
* SacrificialLion
* TakeMeInstead: In "Out of the Past", when Shockwave prepares the cortical psychic patch to extract important codes from Arcee, Cliffjumper demands that they use it on him instead. It doesn't work, but he tried.
--> "Leave her alone! Use it on me!"
* WalkingSpoiler: Being hyped up before the show's release and dying less than five minutes into the first episode will do that.
* WeHardlyKnewYe: Subverted somewhat. While he dies in the series premiere, "[[ADayInTheLimelight Out of the Past]]", a flashback episode, explores his personality further as well as his relationship with Arcee.

!![[color:purple:Wheeljack]]
[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/WheeljackImage_3028.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[hottip:Click here to see his Alt-mode:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/WheeljackAlt_1150.png]]]]
-->"So who do we call for cleanup?"

->Voiced by: James Horan

Another former Wrecker and close friends with Bulkhead, Wheeljack is very smart and a quick thinker, but prefers to dive into combat head on. After the war, he wandered the universe in search of both old and new friends and got accustomed to that lifestyle, so much that he has hesitations about sticking around on Earth for too long. He intially starts with a disregard of Optimus as a "clean hands" military commander, but comes to gain respect for Optimus' skill and sense of honor.

[[hardline]]

* AcePilot
* AntiHero: A blend of Types II and III. He's of the "has no sense of subtlety" and "rebels against authority" variety.
* {{Badass}}
** AdaptationalBadass: And how. The original G1 character was a MadScientist type and not one to really get down and dirty. It's telling that his counterpart in [[Film/{{Transformers}} the movies]] (where any character not originally badass was made one) stuck rather close to the scientist role as well. It's like seeing a nerd from high school come to the reunion as a battle-hardened Marine.
** BackToBackBadasses: An airborne variation with [[spoiler:Agent Fowler in a helicopter]] in "Darkest Hour".
** BadassBaritone
** BadassCreed: "Wreckers don't call for backup. They call for ''cleanup''!"
* {{BFG}}: His ArmCannon is ''huge''.
* BigDamnHeroes: [[spoiler:In "Darkest Hour", where he buys the Autobots time to escape.]]
* BigOlEyebrows
* BoisterousBruiser
* TheBusCameBack: In "Loose Cannons".
* ChestInsignia
* CoolMask
** CollapsibleHelmet
* CoolShip: The ''Jackhammer''.
* {{Cool Sword}}s: His [[DualWielding two katanas]].
** KatanasAreJustBetter
* CompositeCharacter: As the [[http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Wheeljack_%28Prime%29 TF Wiki]] says, "Wheeljack: determined to make Drift redundant." [[hottip:*: Drift is a G1 character from the IDW comics who has trouble with authority and wields a curved sword. While not really a badly written character, he was considered overhyped before his debut and calculated to be as cool of a character as popular, hence the Japanese inspired sword and some Kanji on his vehicle mode.]]
** He also has a bit of [[WesternAnimation/BeastWars Depth Charge]] in his obsession for revenge on Dreadwing, and his disregard for Optimus ("Loose Cannons" isn't too far off story-wise from Depth Charge's introductory episode "Deep Metal"). He also prefers to work on his own much like Tigatron.
* DeadpanSnarker

!![[color:purple:Tailgate]]

->Voiced by: Creator/JoshKeaton

A partner of Arcee during the war on Cybertron, he was captured and killed in front of her by Airachnid.

[[hardline]]
* DeathByOriginStory: To Arcee.
* PaletteSwap: Whilst his appearance in "Predatory" does a good job of hiding it, he shares the same character model as Cliffjumper, but recolored. Given [[KilledOffForReal what happens to both him and Cliffjumper]], it has resulted in something of a joke amongst the fanbase that Arcee should stay away from Autobots with that body-type (and that it's a good thing Bumblebee doesn't share this trait in this series).
* PosthumousCharacter
* SacrificialLamb

!![[color:purple:Seaspray]]

A Wrecker and friend to both Wheeljack and Bulkhead, he was killed by Dreadwing and incited Wheeljack to hunt down the 'Con.

[[hardline]]
* AdaptationalBadass: Well, given this incarnation of Seaspray was a member of the Wreckers. Granted we see none of this onscreen due to his being...
** KilledOffForReal: By Dreadwing.
* CoolShip: The same model as Wheeljack's ship.
* PosthumousCharacter
* RedShirt
* [[WalkingTheEarth Walking the Cosmos]]: Like Wheeljack, and the pair were due to meet up... then Dreadwing intercepted and killed Seaspray.
* WeHardlyKnewYe: We didn't even ''see'' you, and your ship appeared for a grand total of ten or so seconds before it got blown up.

--> "Whoo! Too hot for ya, 'Cons?"

** WingsDoNothing

The Autobot scout, Bumblebee is one of the last generation of Cybertronians created before the Civil War took hold. He is young but exceptionally skilled, a quick thinker and as brave as anyone can get. His voicebox was damaged in combat years ago, a reminder of the harsh realities of war, and "talks" in a series of beeps and whirls that allows him at least a certain degree of communication with the other Autobots and his human partner Raf Esquivel.

The leader of the Autobots and the last of the Primes. Originally a data clerk named Orion Pax, he formed a friendship with a charismatic gladiator and civil rights leader named Megatronus, and being such a close ally put him on the map to being recognized by the Cybertronian council. Upon becoming Optimus Prime, he and the newly christened Megatron cut ties, becoming fierce rivals with wildly different ideologies. Optimus is a highly accomplished warrior honed by years of conflict, though his natural disposition is a gentle pacifist.

A small and nimble fighter with experience as a scout and spy, Arcee is haunted by several events on the Cybertronian Civil War, including losing several partners and being tortured by Airachnid as a POW. She is nonetheless well-respected by her teammates and although she can be impulsive and leave on her own agenda, her first priority is the safety of the team. She is officially the guardian of Jack Darby, and after an initial annoyance with each other, have come to form a powerful bond.

The Autobot Medic, Ratchet is one of Optimus' close friends from before the war even began and has seen the change in his friend. Ratchet is the oldest of the group and generally less excitable and enthusiastic as his teammates or the human kids. Usually grouchy, he is still a good 'Bot at heart and doesn't like to see anyone hurt. He is also generally responsible for the mechanical equipment and he built the ground bridge that allows instantaneous travel around the world, though he admits that he has his limitations in that field.

A former Wrecker, the Autobot special forces/black ops group, Bulkhead is a tough bruiser and built for combat. Admittedly not the smartest bot, he is so good at breaking things that he doesn't have much room for grace and finesse. Despite that, he is very friendly and partnered with Miko, who helps him develop both his gentle side and learn to unleash his power when necessary.

->Voiced by: N/A

!![[color:purple:Bumblebee]]
[[quoteright:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/BumblebeeModel_2260.png]]
[[caption-width-right:280:[[hottip:Click here to see his Alt-mode:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/BumblebeeAlt_1700.png]]]]

The Autobot scout, Bumblebee is one of the last generation of Cybertronians created before the Civil War took hold. He is young but exceptionally skilled, a quick thinker and as brave as anyone can get. His voicebox was damaged in combat years ago, a reminder of the harsh realities of war, and "talks" in a series of beeps and whirls that allows him at least a certain degree of communication with the other Autobots and his human partner Raf Esquivel.

* AdaptationalBadass: The Autobots reinforce that Bumblebee is their Scout (like his G1 character), but that means he is on the front lines quite often and isn't always able to escape without getting into a fight. He has gone up against Breakdown and held his own, and was also responsible for defeating Skyquake.
* BerserkButton: Harming Raf is a good way to trigger it. On the occasion that Megatron nearly killed Raf, he would have attacked Megatron if not for Bulkhead and Arcee stopping him.
* BigBrotherInstinct: Towards Raf.
* ChildSoldier: We don't know if he'd really count as a "child" exactly, but he is the youngest member on the team, revealed in the prequel novels as being among the last generation of Cybertronians to be born. In "Masters and Students", it's implied that Bee isn't officially recognized as warrior-class due to his young age.
* CoolCar: A fictional model of muscle car named the Urbana 500.
* CuteBruiser
* CuteMute
* DemonicPossession: By Megatron at the end of "Sick Mind".
* TheFace: He is the youngest of the Autobots and gets along with humans the best.
* FourTemperamentEnsemble: Phlegmatic.
* GoodOldFisticuffs: Tends to use boxing as his fighting style.
* TheHeart: When [[TheMessiah Optimus]] isn't doing his job for him, anyway.
* IntelligibleUnintelligible: He speaks in some sort of machine language due to a damaged voice box. Raf and the Autobots can understand him just fine, but everyone else (viewers included) is out of luck. Raf acts as his TranslatorBuddy to the rest of the kids.
* KidAppealCharacter: Bumblebee has traditionally always been one of these, but this incarnation ramps up the connection by pairing him with the youngest member of the cast for a human partner.
** He also guest stars in ''[[WesternAnimation/TransformersRescueBots Rescue Bots]]'' where he becomes friends with Cody, the resident KidHero.
* LightningBruiser: While not on par with the likes of Bulkhead or Megatron, Bumblebee's combination of speed and fighting ability allows him opportunities that others can't manage.
* PuppyDogEyes: Being virtually voiceless, he does most of his "talking" with his eyes, and if you notice he has the largest eyes in proportion to any other character. This makes his suffering in "Operation: Bumblebee" more palpable.
* WingedHumanoid
** WingsDoNothing

!![[color:purple:Bulkhead]]
[[quoteright:290:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Bulkhead_Prime_2_3589.png]]
[[caption-width-right:320:[[hottip:Click here to see his Alt-mode:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/BulkheadAlt_7628.png]]]]
-->"[[PreAsskickingOneLiner Who's ready to rumble?]]"

->Voiced by: Creator/KevinMichaelRichardson

A former Wrecker, the Autobot special forces/black ops group, Bulkhead is a tough bruiser and built for combat. Admittedly not the smartest bot, he is so good at breaking things that he doesn't have much room for grace and finesse. Despite that, he is very friendly and partnered with Miko, who helps him develop both his gentle side and learn to unleash his power when necessary.
[[hardline]]

* {{Acrofatic}}
* {{Adorkable}}
* AntiHero: Slight shades of Type II every now and then.
* {{BFG}}: His arm cannon is second only to Optimus' in size.

** BadassAdorable: The guy's pretty much a giant metal teddy bear.
** BadassBaritone
** BadassInDistress: In "Armada", when he's trapped upon the ''Nemesis''. Though he actually rescues himself [[spoiler:by bringing down the Nemesis]] then driving off.
* BerserkButton: Don't ''ever'' even imply harming Miko in his presence.
** Also, Starscream or rather, one of his clones, found out the ''hard way'' that Arcee is not the only one who will become dangerously angered over being reminded of who killed Cliffjumper. It results in Bulkhead beating him to death.
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Despite his kind nature, he's extremely dangerous in combat. Case in point in "Armada" where he beats a Starscream clone to death, then proceeds to damage the ''Nemesis'' to the point of crash-landing.
* BigBrotherInstinct: Certainly acts this way towards Miko.
* BigBrotherMentor: Surprisingly ends up being one to Smokescreen, teaching the younger bot the ways of war and reminding him of the bigger picture of their fight.
* BigDamnHeroes: Pulls one in "The Human Factor." [[spoiler: if not for him, C.Y.L.A.S would have blown up Jack, Miko, Fowler and Raf[[hottip:*: and his mom]], and the Decepticons would have had access to a KillSat from their warship.]]
* BigFun
* TheBigGuy
* BoisterousBruiser
* DarkAndTroubledPast: Bulkhead ''is'' a lovable sweetheart, but he occasionally alludes to his past as a Wrecker with some sadness and regret, as they're charged with the "dirty work" (IE. Assassination) that 'Bots like Optimus can't stain their hands performing.
* {{Determinator}}: Even as his ''life'' is being sucked out of him, he manages to punch Starscream in the face and destroy the Energon Harvester. Also when partially chewed up by Scraplets, he was the one to lead them through the ground bridge and let them freeze in the Artic.
** "Toxicity" is basically one whole episode of him being a Determinator. Wounded, leaking Energon, being poisoned by toxic Energon, pursued by Hardshell, and he just. Won't. Quit. He only gives up when Hardshell shoots him in the back ''after all of this''. And by then, he'd already ''gotten the job done.'' Hoo-ah.
* DorkKnight
* DumbMuscle: He sees himself this way, seemingly. While trying to impress on Miko the importance of education in "Deus ex Machina", he mentions that he was a laborer back on Cybertron (specifically, working in construction), claims that all he's good for is building stuff and breaking it, and wonders why she'd want to be "just like him" when she could be a medic like Ratchet. Regardless, when it comes to fighting smarts, he is second only to Optimus.
* FourTemperamentEnsemble: Sanguine.
* GameBreakingInjury: At the end of "Hurt", it's revealed that because of both prolonged exposure to Tox-En and the wounds Hardshell inflicted, Bulkhead will live, but might never be fully functional again.
** As of "Hard Knocks", Bulkhead has recovered enough to be an even match for Dreadwing.
* GenreSavvy
* GentleGiant
* HeroicSelfDeprecation: Far more intelligent than he makes himself out to be.
* KlingonsLoveShakespeare: He's a big heavy metal fan. Also [[IncrediblyLamePun a big, heavy metal fan]], but that's beside the point.
* LanternJawOfJustice
* LightningBruiser: While he doesn't have the speed or acceleration of Arcee and Bumblebee, he can move surprisingly fast in robot mode.
* MoralDissonance: Though he's usually an all-around NiceGuy, he has moments of this several times -- specifically, in "Speed Metal", deciding to leave Jack's rival Vince to the Decepticons because "the guy's a jerk." [[WhatTheHellHero Jack calls him out on it.]]
* OneManArmy: The core Autobot team's second-most-dangerous combatant. Stands to reason, him being a former Wrecker. Also the only bot (apart from Optimus Prime) to stand up to Megatron while he's on Dark Energon and hold his own.
* PapaWolf: Towards Miko, of course.
* PowerFist
* PreAsskickingOneLiner: "Operation Bumblebee, Part 2" has a great one after Bulkhead manages to heft the giant-even-by-Cybertronian-standards Forge of Solus Prime.
-->'''Bulkhead''': Hey, Breakdown... Mine's bigger!
* ProudWarriorRaceGuy
* RedOniBlueOni: The red to Wheeljack's blue.
* TheResenter: Towards Smokescreen, at first. He's starting to get along better with the new guy as of "The Human Factor".
* ScreamsLikeALittleGirl: Cue the mockery from Miko.
* {{Sizeshifter}}: Not as bad as Arcee since he has a much larger vehicle mode, but even then his raw girth would not be able to fit inside his vehicle mode. The tires on his back and feet are about as tall as the human characters.
* StoutStrength
* WhatTheHellHero: Twice he was willing to let humans be kidnapped by the Decepticons, simply because they were jerks. Jack calls him out on both occasions.
* [[WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes Why Did It Have To Be Scraplets?]]: Played slightly more seriously than most examples of this trope. Bulkhead's had some ''bad'' experiences with the little monsters and while most Cybertronians fear them, Bulkhead has the... [[ScreamsLikeALittleGirl girliest]] response.

!![[color:purple:Ratchet]]
[[quoteright:234:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Ratchet_Prime_2_2276.png]]
[[caption-width-right:250:[[hottip:Click here to see his Alt-mode:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/RatchetAlt_2915.png]]]]
-->"[[PreAsskickingOneLiner It's all right, I'm an emergency vehicle!]]"

->Voiced by: JeffreyCombs

The Autobot Medic, Ratchet is one of Optimus' close friends from before the war even began and has seen the change in his friend. Ratchet is the oldest of the group and generally less excitable and enthusiastic as his teammates or the human kids. Usually grouchy, he is still a good 'Bot at heart and doesn't like to see anyone hurt. He is also generally responsible for the mechanical equipment and he built the ground bridge that allows instantaneous travel around the world, though he admits that he has his limitations in that field.
[[hardline]]

* ActorAllusion: He becomes a manic MadScientist over the kids' science fair projects. As funny as it sounds.
** Later on, he tests synthetic energon on himself that leaves him with unexpected results.
*** Oh, and the synthetic energon looks suspiciously like [[Film/{{Re-Animator}} another glowing, green liquid]] that JeffreyCombs has worked with in the past.
* ArrogantKungFuGuy: In "Stronger, Faster", he was under the influence of experimental synthetic energon and started challenging every Cybertronian he saw to a fight, even calling Bumblebee a wimp for backing down on his offer. It came back to bite him when he tried to take on Megatron and nearly got killed.
* ArtisticLicenseBiology: Ratchet often forgets that certain aspects of Cybertronian biology, such as "metal burn" do not apply to humans
* {{Badass}}

!![[color:purple:Wheeljack]]
[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/WheeljackImage_3028.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[hottip:Click here to see his Alt-mode:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/WheeljackAlt_1150.png]]]]
-->"So who do we call for cleanup?"

->Voiced by: James Horan

Another former Wrecker and close friends with Bulkhead, Wheeljack is very smart and a quick thinker, but prefers to dive into combat head on. After the war, he wandered the universe in search of both old and new friends and got accustomed to that lifestyle, so much that he has hesitations about sticking around on Earth for too long. He intially starts with a disregard of Optimus as a "clean hands" military commander, but comes to gain respect for Optimus' skill and sense of honor.

* AcePilot
* AntiHero: A blend of Types II and III. He's of the "has no sense of subtlety" and "rebels against authority" variety.

** AdaptationalBadass: And how. The original G1 character was a MadScientist type and not one to really get down and dirty. It's telling that his counterpart in [[Film/{{Transformers}} the movies]] (where any character not originally badass was made one) stuck rather close to the scientist role as well. It's like seeing a nerd from high school come to the reunion as a battle-hardened Marine.
** BackToBackBadasses: An airborne variation with [[spoiler:Agent Fowler in a helicopter]] in "Darkest Hour".

** BadassCreed: "Wreckers don't call for backup. They call for ''cleanup''!"
* {{BFG}}: His ArmCannon is ''huge''.
* BigDamnHeroes: [[spoiler:In "Darkest Hour", where he buys the Autobots time to escape.]]
* BigOlEyebrows

* TheBusCameBack: In "Loose Cannons".
* ChestInsignia
* CoolMask
** CollapsibleHelmet
* CoolShip: The ''Jackhammer''.
* {{Cool Sword}}s: His [[DualWielding two katanas]].
** KatanasAreJustBetter
* CompositeCharacter: As the [[http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Wheeljack_%28Prime%29 TF Wiki]] says, "Wheeljack: determined to make Drift redundant." [[hottip:*: Drift is a G1 character from the IDW comics who has trouble with authority and wields a curved sword. While not really a badly written character, he was considered overhyped before his debut and calculated to be as cool of a character as popular, hence the Japanese inspired sword and some Kanji on his vehicle mode.]]
** He also has a bit of [[WesternAnimation/BeastWars Depth Charge]] in his obsession for revenge on Dreadwing, and his disregard for Optimus ("Loose Cannons" isn't too far off story-wise from Depth Charge's introductory episode "Deep Metal"). He also prefers to work on his own much like Tigatron.

** WingsDoNothing

!![[color:purple:Cliffjumper]]
[[quoteright:296:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Cliffjumper_Prime_4736.png]]
[[caption-width-right:300:[[hottip:Click here to see his Alt-mode:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/CliffjumperAlt_2556.png]]]]
-->"[[PreAsskickingOneLiner Fair warning, boys... I'll put a few dings in ya.]]"

->Voiced by: DwayneJohnson (Season 1), Billy Brown (Season 2)

A born fighter, Cliffjumper doesn't hesitate to get involved with a scuffle and is sometimes antsy when there aren't any 'Cons to scrap. He spent a good deal of time with Arcee, with some implications of a bond that extended beyond simple friends.

[[hardline]]
* {{Badass}}
** BadassBaritone
* TheBigGuy: Fairly obvious.
* BoisterousBruiser
* CameBackWrong: He is resurrected by Megatron in the second episode as a test for Dark Energon, but comes back as a mindless zombie/berserker. Of course, ''Megatron'' is perfectly happy with this.
* CoolCar: A 70's Dodge Challenger with bull horns on the hood, to be exact.
* ADayInTheLimelight: His appearance in "Out Of The Past".
* DeaderThanDead: He gets a very sharp hand shoved through his chest. Then Megatron turns him into a zombie, cuts him in half, and drops him down a mineshaft. Then Starscream blows up the mine with a very powerful bomb.
* DeadpanSnarker
* DeadSidekick[=/=]DeadPartner: To Arcee.
* DeadStarWalking
* FourTemperamentEnsemble: Sanguine.
* HalfTheManHeUsedToBe: Courtesy of Megatron, while zombified.
* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: How Starscream kills him.
* KilledOffForReal
* MauveShirt
* MotorMouth
* PosthumousCharacter
* SacrificialLion
* TakeMeInstead: In "Out of the Past", when Shockwave prepares the cortical psychic patch to extract important codes from Arcee, Cliffjumper demands that they use it on him instead. It doesn't work, but he tried.
--> "Leave her alone! Use it on me!"
* WalkingSpoiler: Being hyped up before the show's release and dying less than five minutes into the first episode will do that.
* WeHardlyKnewYe: Subverted somewhat. While he dies in the series premiere, "[[ADayInTheLimelight Out of the Past]]", a flashback episode, explores his personality further as well as his relationship with Arcee.

!![[color:purple:Tailgate]]

->Voiced by: Creator/JoshKeaton

A partner of Arcee during the war on Cybertron, he was captured and killed in front of her by Airachnid.

[[hardline]]
* DeathByOriginStory: To Arcee.
* PaletteSwap: Whilst his appearance in "Predatory" does a good job of hiding it, he shares the same character model as Cliffjumper, but recolored. Given [[KilledOffForReal what happens to both him and Cliffjumper]], it has resulted in something of a joke amongst the fanbase that Arcee should stay away from Autobots with that body-type (and that it's a good thing Bumblebee doesn't share this trait in this series).
* PosthumousCharacter
* SacrificialLamb

!![[color:purple:Seaspray]]

->Voiced by: N/A

A Wrecker and friend to both Wheeljack and Bulkhead, he was killed by Dreadwing and incited Wheeljack to hunt down the 'Con.

[[hardline]]
* AdaptationalBadass: Well, given this incarnation of Seaspray was a member of the Wreckers. Granted we see none of this onscreen due to his being...
** KilledOffForReal: By Dreadwing.
* CoolShip: The same model as Wheeljack's ship.
* PosthumousCharacter
* RedShirt
* [[WalkingTheEarth Walking the Cosmos]]: Like Wheeljack, and the pair were due to meet up... then Dreadwing intercepted and killed Seaspray.
* WeHardlyKnewYe: We didn't even ''see'' you, and your ship appeared for a grand total of ten or so seconds before it got blown up.

* WeHardlyKnewYe: We didn't even ''see'' you, and your ship appeared for a grand total of ten or so seconds before it got blown up.

[[/folder]]

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Optimus Prime/Orion Pax]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Arcee]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Bumblebee]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Bulkhead]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Ratchet]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Wheeljack]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Smokescreen]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Cliffjumper]]

->Voiced by: DwayneJohnson, Billy Brown

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Other Autobots]]

!![[color:red:Tailgate]]

!![[color:red:Seaspray]]

[[folder:Optimus Prime]]

!![[color:red:Optimus Prime/Orion Pax]]

!![[color:red:Arcee]]

!![[color:red:Bumblebee]]

!![[color:red:Bulkhead]]

!![[color:red:Ratchet]]

!![[color:red:Wheeljack]]

!![[color:red:Smokescreen]]

!![[color:red:Cliffjumper]]

!![[color:red:Ratchet]]
[[quoteright:234:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Ratchet_Prime_2_2276.png]]
[[caption-width-right:250:[[hottip:Click here to see his Alt-mode:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/RatchetAlt_2915.png]]]]
-->"[[PreAsskickingOneLiner It's all right, I'm an emergency vehicle!]]"

->Voiced by: JeffreyCombs

The Autobot Medic, Ratchet is one of Optimus' close friends from before the war even began and has seen the change in his friend. Ratchet is the oldest of the group and generally less excitable and enthusiastic as his teammates or the human kids. Usually grouchy, he is still a good 'Bot at heart and doesn't like to see anyone hurt. He is also generally responsible for the mechanical equipment and he built the ground bridge that allows instantaneous travel around the world, though he admits that he has his limitations in that field.

* ActorAllusion: He becomes a manic MadScientist over the kids' science fair projects. As funny as it sounds.
** Later on, he tests synthetic energon on himself that leaves him with unexpected results.
*** Oh, and the synthetic energon looks suspiciously like [[Film/{{Re-Animator}} another glowing, green liquid]] that JeffreyCombs has worked with in the past.
* ArrogantKungFuGuy: In "Stronger, Faster", he was under the influence of experimental synthetic energon and started challenging every Cybertronian he saw to a fight, even calling Bumblebee a wimp for backing down on his offer. It came back to bite him when he tried to take on Megatron and nearly got killed.
* ArtisticLicenseBiology: Ratchet often forgets that certain aspects of Cybertronian biology, such as "metal burn" do not apply to humans

!![[color:red:Bulkhead]]
[[quoteright:290:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Bulkhead_Prime_2_3589.png]]
[[caption-width-right:320:[[hottip:Click here to see his Alt-mode:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/BulkheadAlt_7628.png]]]]
-->"[[PreAsskickingOneLiner Who's ready to rumble?]]"

->Voiced by: Creator/KevinMichaelRichardson

A former Wrecker, the Autobot special forces/black ops group, Bulkhead is a tough bruiser and built for combat. Admittedly not the smartest bot, he is so good at breaking things that he doesn't have much room for grace and finesse. Despite that, he is very friendly and partnered with Miko, who helps him develop both his gentle side and learn to unleash his power when necessary.

* {{Acrofatic}}
* {{Adorkable}}
* AntiHero: Slight shades of Type II every now and then.
* {{BFG}}: His arm cannon is second only to Optimus' in size.

** BadassAdorable: The guy's pretty much a giant metal teddy bear.

** BadassInDistress: In "Armada", when he's trapped upon the ''Nemesis''. Though he actually rescues himself [[spoiler:by bringing down the Nemesis]] then driving off.
* BerserkButton: Don't ''ever'' even imply harming Miko in his presence.
** Also, Starscream or rather, one of his clones, found out the ''hard way'' that Arcee is not the only one who will become dangerously angered over being reminded of who killed Cliffjumper. It results in Bulkhead beating him to death.
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Despite his kind nature, he's extremely dangerous in combat. Case in point in "Armada" where he beats a Starscream clone to death, then proceeds to damage the ''Nemesis'' to the point of crash-landing.
* BigBrotherInstinct: Certainly acts this way towards Miko.
* BigBrotherMentor: Surprisingly ends up being one to Smokescreen, teaching the younger bot the ways of war and reminding him of the bigger picture of their fight.
* BigDamnHeroes: Pulls one in "The Human Factor." [[spoiler: if not for him, C.Y.L.A.S would have blown up Jack, Miko, Fowler and Raf[[hottip:*: and his mom]], and the Decepticons would have had access to a KillSat from their warship.]]
* BigFun
* TheBigGuy

* DarkAndTroubledPast: Bulkhead ''is'' a lovable sweetheart, but he occasionally alludes to his past as a Wrecker with some sadness and regret, as they're charged with the "dirty work" (IE. Assassination) that 'Bots like Optimus can't stain their hands performing.
* {{Determinator}}: Even as his ''life'' is being sucked out of him, he manages to punch Starscream in the face and destroy the Energon Harvester. Also when partially chewed up by Scraplets, he was the one to lead them through the ground bridge and let them freeze in the Artic.
** "Toxicity" is basically one whole episode of him being a Determinator. Wounded, leaking Energon, being poisoned by toxic Energon, pursued by Hardshell, and he just. Won't. Quit. He only gives up when Hardshell shoots him in the back ''after all of this''. And by then, he'd already ''gotten the job done.'' Hoo-ah.
* DorkKnight
* DumbMuscle: He sees himself this way, seemingly. While trying to impress on Miko the importance of education in "Deus ex Machina", he mentions that he was a laborer back on Cybertron (specifically, working in construction), claims that all he's good for is building stuff and breaking it, and wonders why she'd want to be "just like him" when she could be a medic like Ratchet. Regardless, when it comes to fighting smarts, he is second only to Optimus.
* FourTemperamentEnsemble: Sanguine.
* GameBreakingInjury: At the end of "Hurt", it's revealed that because of both prolonged exposure to Tox-En and the wounds Hardshell inflicted, Bulkhead will live, but might never be fully functional again.
** As of "Hard Knocks", Bulkhead has recovered enough to be an even match for Dreadwing.
* GenreSavvy
* GentleGiant
* HeroicSelfDeprecation: Far more intelligent than he makes himself out to be.
* KlingonsLoveShakespeare: He's a big heavy metal fan. Also [[IncrediblyLamePun a big, heavy metal fan]], but that's beside the point.
* LanternJawOfJustice
* LightningBruiser: While he doesn't have the speed or acceleration of Arcee and Bumblebee, he can move surprisingly fast in robot mode.
* MoralDissonance: Though he's usually an all-around NiceGuy, he has moments of this several times -- specifically, in "Speed Metal", deciding to leave Jack's rival Vince to the Decepticons because "the guy's a jerk." [[WhatTheHellHero Jack calls him out on it.]]
* OneManArmy: The core Autobot team's second-most-dangerous combatant. Stands to reason, him being a former Wrecker. Also the only bot (apart from Optimus Prime) to stand up to Megatron while he's on Dark Energon and hold his own.
* PapaWolf: Towards Miko, of course.
* PowerFist
* PreAsskickingOneLiner: "Operation Bumblebee, Part 2" has a great one after Bulkhead manages to heft the giant-even-by-Cybertronian-standards Forge of Solus Prime.
-->'''Bulkhead''': Hey, Breakdown... Mine's bigger!
* ProudWarriorRaceGuy
* RedOniBlueOni: The red to Wheeljack's blue.
* TheResenter: Towards Smokescreen, at first. He's starting to get along better with the new guy as of "The Human Factor".
* ScreamsLikeALittleGirl: Cue the mockery from Miko.
* {{Sizeshifter}}: Not as bad as Arcee since he has a much larger vehicle mode, but even then his raw girth would not be able to fit inside his vehicle mode. The tires on his back and feet are about as tall as the human characters.
* StoutStrength
* WhatTheHellHero: Twice he was willing to let humans be kidnapped by the Decepticons, simply because they were jerks. Jack calls him out on both occasions.
* [[WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes Why Did It Have To Be Scraplets?]]: Played slightly more seriously than most examples of this trope. Bulkhead's had some ''bad'' experiences with the little monsters and while most Cybertronians fear them, Bulkhead has the... [[ScreamsLikeALittleGirl girliest]] response.

!![[color:red:Wheeljack]]
[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/WheeljackImage_3028.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[hottip:Click here to see his Alt-mode:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/WheeljackAlt_1150.png]]]]
-->"So who do we call for cleanup?"

->Voiced by: James Horan

Another former Wrecker and close friends with Bulkhead, Wheeljack is very smart and a quick thinker, but prefers to dive into combat head on. After the war, he wandered the universe in search of both old and new friends and got accustomed to that lifestyle, so much that he has hesitations about sticking around on Earth for too long. He intially starts with a disregard of Optimus as a "clean hands" military commander, but comes to gain respect for Optimus' skill and sense of honor.

[[hardline]]

* AcePilot
* AntiHero: A blend of Types II and III. He's of the "has no sense of subtlety" and "rebels against authority" variety.
* {{Badass}}
** AdaptationalBadass: And how. The original G1 character was a MadScientist type and not one to really get down and dirty. It's telling that his counterpart in [[Film/{{Transformers}} the movies]] (where any character not originally badass was made one) stuck rather close to the scientist role as well. It's like seeing a nerd from high school come to the reunion as a battle-hardened Marine.
** BackToBackBadasses: An airborne variation with [[spoiler:Agent Fowler in a helicopter]] in "Darkest Hour".
** BadassBaritone
** BadassCreed: "Wreckers don't call for backup. They call for ''cleanup''!"
* {{BFG}}: His ArmCannon is ''huge''.
* BigDamnHeroes: [[spoiler:In "Darkest Hour", where he buys the Autobots time to escape.]]
* BigOlEyebrows
* BoisterousBruiser

* AntiHero: [[SlidingScaleOfAntiHeroes Type II]]