Targetmasters

The Targetmasters are a subset of Transformers binary-bonded to smaller partners, who

transform into their weapons. The partner is often an organic life form that has been bio-engineered to be partly mechanical, or wears a suit of armor that transforms around them to become the weapon.

The Targetmasters benefit from being able to take two minds into battle. A Targetmaster possesses a living weapon that is capable of making its own tactical decisions and target priorities. The advantage is similar to that of having a dedicated gunner aboard an aircraft or tank.

The Targetmaster process is often seen to follow shortly after development of the Headmaster process. The earliest known Targetmasters were among the Autobots and Decepticons involved in the war on Nebulos, and were paired with a bio-engineered Nebulan humanoid which wore a transforming exosuit. Later Targetmasters included virtually any Transformer specifically partnered with another being that becomes their weapon, not limited to Nebulans or organics. The term has been applied to the Seacon team and several Action Master pairings.

Some Transformers, known as Double-Targetmasters, are bonded with two smaller partners who can form individual weapons or combine with one another to form a 'double weapon', with the power of whichever weapon forms the 'barrel' boosted by the other.

Some of the Targetmasters are Blurr with Haywire, Crosshairs with Pinpointer/Pointech, Hot Rod with Firebolt, Kup with Recoil, Pointblank with Peacemaker/Peaceman, Sureshot with Spoilsport/Spoil, Cyclonus with Nightstick, Misfire with Aimless/Aimless, Scourge with Fracas, Slugslinger with Caliburst/Caliburst, Triggerhappy with Blowpipe/Blowpipe, Stepper (Ricochet) with Nebulon (Nightstick), Artfire with Nightstick, Landfill with Flintlock and Silencer, Quickmix with Boomer and Ricochet, Scoop with Holepunch and Tracer, Needlenose with Sunbeam and Zigzag, Quake with Tiptop and Heater, Spinister with Hairsplitter and Singe, Banzai-Tron with Razor-Sharp, Jackpot with Sights, Krok with Gatoraider, Mainframe with Push-Button, Rad with Lionizer, Rollout with Glitch, Skyfall with Top-Heavy, Treadshot with Catgut, Break, Stampy, Dillo, Mol, Rav, Chro, Cyclonus with Nightstick, Strafe with Rocketbot, Ricochet with Nightstick, Scoop with Holepunch, Crosshairs with Pinpointer, Cyclonus with Krunix, Recoil, Fracas, Haywire, Caliburst, Spoilsport, and Rodimus Prime with Offshoot.