#animated mixmaster

[zyanova]

I regret to inform you, Bumblebee, that you have been diagnosed with chicken.

[mk-wizard]

When a Transformer Converts

Hello, Transformers fans. Today I will be explaining a heavily debated on Transformers topic in the lore. Note that most of it is based on theory taken from bits and pieces of the official lore. And that is how a Transformers converts from one faction to the other.

Is it simply kind of like when humans convert from one belief to another of which only will and a symbol are involved? I mean, that is what Skyfire in G1 did. And if you want to switch optic colour, that’s an easy cosmetic to change for a robotic organism. And it has been confirmed that some do this the same way a human would dye their hair.

However, this is not true conversion at all. Or rather, if I may explain this in the most respectful sense, the Transformer has converted in spirit and in mind, but not in data or body. You see each faction comes with more than just a difference in optic colour and symbols. Each one has their own unique biology.

Decepticons are literally made for war meaning they are tougher, more resilient, have harder firepower and they can fly in robot mode (in most settings). Autobots are more fragile, they are grounded, they are by nature blue collar workers like builders and such, and are instinctively drawn to science and writing. Quintessons are twisted in body, they do not have built in weapons in their biological structure and they are always diodes (psychic). Junkions have amazing healing abilities that are almost instantaneous and they are natural artists and builders. In other words, you can change an insignia and the colour of your optics, but other stuff will give you away as to what you were born as.

For example, I have reason to believe that the Lamborghini twins Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were in fact biologically Decepticons because they can fly in robot mode yet they are not aerial types. They are also more hostile and tend to be a pair of powerhouses for their size. It is also a fact that at times, Sunstreaker struggles with his morals, but ultimately, will always do the right thing.

Also, anyone could see that initially, Skyfire was an Autobot all the way and not just because of his optics. His nature, his penchant for science and the fact that he was not actually a fighter shows all of this. As for how he and Starscream go way back, my theory is that back then, Autobots and Decepticons got along or Starscream was born an Autobot, but did the true conversion (more on that later).

Lastly, if you recall in the Animated universe, the two Constructicons Mixmaster and Scrapper were complete blank slates until Megatron literally branded them as Decepticons.

Look at how they looked before getting branded and compare to how they look after.

There is more than just a difference in colour scheme. They look more muscular, edgier and more aggressive especially Mixmaster. To me, this is a sign that the branding did more than just give them the insignia. It changed their data too which would also explain why the process took a toll on them physically. If it was just that the branding was hot and burnt them, they would have been able to take it. Heck, that is how Transformers mend a wound so if it was just like branding a cow, it would actually felt nice for them, but it clearly didn’t. If you want an idea of how it most likely felt like, imagine if your very DNA was being rewritten... with a knife while the writer was pressing hard.

So, how does this relate to how true conversion to work? Well, if you have to go through something like this while being a blank slate, it is very likely that the process would be similar if not even more harrowing. In order to change a Transformer from one faction to the other all the way not just a change in beliefs, a symbol and tweaking optic colours, they would need to undergo a form of surgery. According to various sources I have read up online and my own observation after seeing Transformers who converted physically too, such a surgical process is also very risky in which the Transformer can die from undergoing it. I mean, you’re essentially performing cosmetic surgery on the cellular level. One wrong move and you’re toast... and honestly, that’s if you’re lucky should things go wrong. The Transformer can come out of it insane, crippled or both.

There are also two big takeaways to true conversion. Because it is so risky and takes such a toll on the body and processor, it can only be done once in the Transformer’s entire life, so once they do it, there’s no going back. They are stuck in that new form for better or for worse. Also, the Transformer’s original special ability is lost and replaced with a new special ability which is a huge gamble. You could be losing a very unique and useful thing for something that’s complete garbage. With that all said, it’s obvious as to why most Transformers won’t do this. They would rather stand out than risk losing a piece of themselves or even their lives.

However, there is also one upside maybe the only thing that makes conversion worthwhile. You’re literally given a completely new body and if all goes well, it will be better than the one you had before in every way and everything that was wrong with your previous form gets corrected. So if lady luck smiles on you, you will rewarded with a stronger, faster, better body at least with even simple ailments to complex handicaps cured. Plus, if the Transformer was going to die, conversion can be used as a last ditch attempt to save their life for that reason. If you can’t fix the body they have, make them a new one. With that all said, this could explain how Starscream knows Skyfire and how he became to powerful with only Megatron being stronger than him. Considering Starscream is a cheater and a sleaze, I wouldn’t put it past him to have been a former Autobot who underwent true conversion because he felt the risk was worth the attempt at getting an edge. And in his case, he was really lucky.

Anyway, as I said, this is all just theory and how true conversion works, but it is the one that makes the most sense especially since it has been confirmed that each faction is biologically different from each other.

With that said, which Transformer do you believe underwent true conversion and what do you think they were before?