So... I started watching G1 and I have one burning question.

Discussion in 'Transformers General Discussion' started by CaptainSlayer, Jul 30, 2014.

  1. CaptainSlayer

    CaptainSlayer "Soundwave just sent out Randal"

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    What the hell is the point in transforming into a Jet if everyone can fly?

    I was introduced to Transformers through the bay movies, with DOTM being one of my favorite films of all time.

    I started watching G1 to get to the roots and that's a question that I just can't answer...
     
  2. Dragonzzilla

    Dragonzzilla Well-Known Member

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    So we could have this.

    [​IMG]
     
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  3. CaptainSlayer

    CaptainSlayer "Soundwave just sent out Randal"

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    Thank you. All of lifes mysteries have just been answered.
     
  4. Digilaut

    Digilaut Well-Known Member

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    Don't worry. Like a lot of things in G1 the fact they can all fly gets quickly forgotten later on :lol 

    There's still advantages to being a jet. Jets fly much faster than clunky robots, and have quick access to certain weaponry or equipment.

    Yes, I'm making up excuses here. :p 
     
  5. SoundBlaster7

    SoundBlaster7 Well-Known Member

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    It's best not to think about it too much and just enjoy the show. ;) 
     
  6. Priest of Salem

    Priest of Salem Well-Known Member

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    In jet mode the seekers can be robots in disguise.I'd say jet mode is more economical on energon than robot mode
     
  7. tfparodies

    tfparodies Well-Known Member

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    Haha! C'mon, now you're grasping at straws...

    With all the perfectly good things to bitch about with G1, this one shouldn't even be on the list. But that's okay, I'm mostly kidding here.

    But seriously, a jet fighter has a multitude of useful purposes. This mode is hardly useless. Since you started with DOTM, you could ask yourself why DIDN'T most of the autobots choose better, more useful modes for fighting since they could pretty much become whatever they wanted to be. They saw the decepticons could kick ass in either mode, wouldn't it be logical and more useful if the autobots became something other than normal vehicles?

    If that doesn't bother you more than a robot who turns into an awesome killing machine (F-15 Strike Eagles still are awesome to this day), than just wait until you get into the dinobots' origins as well as the constructicons'.
     
  8. paramedicprime

    paramedicprime Banned

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    besides the obvious autobot plane formers all the dinobots could fly in robot mode as well! I don't know why im posting this but it always intrigued me ! also whatever altmode decepticons had they all could fly! except shockwave I guess! lol
     
  9. Rev

    Rev Well-Known Member

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    Robots in disguise.
     
  10. Sweep

    Sweep worse then vehicon drones

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    Jets go supersonic, flying robots do not? Reaching for a point here.
     
  11. Ionus

    Ionus Well-Known Member

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    Having an alt mode served their original function as menial labor bots. As the Transformers "evolved" and won their freedom the alt modes became a cultural aspect of their society as well as serving a particular function. It is now inconceivable for a Transformer to have only one mode; no bot would be caught not having one. Status in Transformer society is measured by what a bots alt mode is.

    - My own fictional explanation
     
  12. MechanovaKing

    MechanovaKing Well-Known Member

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    you can infer. that the jets are faster.

    And over all it's a disguise to hide in.

    Thundercracker, Ramjet, and Dirge's power only work in jet mode/
     
  13. DeadLocke

    DeadLocke Well-Known Member

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    To give you a serious answer, I think it's because a jet is far more maneuverable and aerodynamic then their robot mode is in flight. Plus it is also faster and offers a smaller 'profile' to shoot at (as it's more 'compact') then the robot mode does. It might even use far less energy. This mode tucks away most of the critical vulnerable bits like the head away deep inside the body and moves the canopy to the front and away from the chest, likely a deliberate design by their creators when these things are going to spend a large of their time fighting (since they were built for military purposes.)
     
  14. Metroplex79

    Metroplex79 Hey mouse, say cheese!

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    My made up canon:

    -Flying in vehicular mode is more energy efficient and capable of faster speeds.

    -Flying is robot mode is a limited ability for most, as their body's not configured to fly.

    Which is similar to integrated weapons, your gun's primary function is to shoot, so all energy is directed for that purpose, plus it can be charged independently. When you have a weapon that comes out of your forearm, you're using your own energies...and it you can't use it all as you need it for your primary functions.

    Besides, that bit was only in the first few eps. Things are more as we know it after. Isn't it the same with almost every other show?
     
  15. unicronic

    unicronic Well-Known Member

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    Actually didn't Teletraan 1 reformat everyone without their permission?
     
  16. Meta777

    Meta777 Dr Pepper Fan

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    Indeed, in the pilot episode when it was jolted back into activation. Since the alternative was lying there in stasis forever, I doubt the Decepticons minded too much.


    Me personally, I've always felt that vehicle modes make up for the lack of humanoid dexterity with superior speed, stability and durability. The robot's systems aren't being devoted to handling limbs and such and thus can relay more energy to other systems like shielding and scanning, making them somewhat tougher than the robot form.
     
  17. Jalaguy

    Jalaguy has no known physical weaknesses

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    The trick to watching the G1 cartoon is to do so whilst drunk. It's not a cartoon that should be taken even remotely seriously, but it's a laugh if you just accept its constant silliness.
     
  18. primal789

    primal789 Prime

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    Correct
     
  19. Scorponok

    Scorponok Kindness is no virtue and cruelty is no vice

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    I agree with this completely.

    I grew up watching the G1 cartoons and find this version to be the most refreshing. It's lighter and humorous at times. However, I still enjoy the movies as they have a darker tone. I own a spotlight comic which has the same dark tone. Then again, I'm a big fan of anything TF :) 
     
  20. Metroplex79

    Metroplex79 Hey mouse, say cheese!

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    Not that bad.

    The problem was the era of cartoons, that there were too many writers with their own agendas/ideas, and the purpose was not to provide fiction, but to make a story to show off characters with abilities, so that the kids will like and want to buy toys of.

    I've said it before, G1 does not hold up today as everything is dated, but it does hold up every series since. Ranging from dialog, names, color schemes, terminology, and alt mode styles.

    Plus at some point every series will be dated...kids of tomorrow will go "wow, that Prime Bumblebee car mode is soooooo old, it's retro." in X number of years.