Star Saber (Armada)
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| This subject of this article goes by multiple names that apply to other articles as well. See Star Saber (disambiguation), Dark Saber (disambiguation). |
The Star Saber is a weapon created by the combination of the Mini-Con Air Defense Mini-Con Team. It is among the most powerful weapons in all existence: the only known defense against it is the Skyboom shield, though which would give first has yet to be determined. It is also unknown if the Star Saber packs more destructive power than the Requiem Blaster... but that's all really academic anyway. The point is, the Star Saber can slice and dice pretty much anything within reach, and don't you forget it.
Sometimes in the hands of those with evil minds, the sword itself sometimes becomes tainted, forming the Dark Saber.
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Fiction
Toy pack-in comics
After Galvatron captured the Air Defense Team in a trap, he forced them to combine into the Dark Saber. The weapon was of little help in battle with Optimus Prime and Jetfire, who rescued the Mini-Cons by combining and kicking Galvatron away. Armada Volume 3
Armada cartoon
Created by Unicron, the Star Saber held a large amount of the monster planet's energy, making it a source of nigh-unlimited power, and a necessary component to reactivate him. Portent After the Mini-Con ship crashed on Earth, its power was harnessed by an ancient civilization. However, this power proved beyond their ability to control, and caused their destruction, potentially inspiring the legend of Atlantis. Sonar's Mini-Con panel was left there and later recovered by the Decepticons. Ruin Later, after invading the Autobot base, Megatron used Sonar to locate the other two Mini-Cons and eventually succeeded in forming the Star Saber for the first time in ages. His victory was shortlived as Hot Shot stole it from Megatron. Hot Shot was shaky in his command of the saber and at first did not put up a good offensive against Megatron. After words of advice from Rad White, Hot Shot harnessed the power of the Mini-Cons to defeat Megatron, cutting off his antenna in the process. Swoop
Hot Shot continued fighting and defeating Decepticons with the use of the Star Saber. Each time in combat the Saber showed ease in slicing off pieces of his opponents. While in a swordfight with Starscream, he was hit once, but Starscream's sword was sliced again in two by the Saber. Even with the Saber in his possession, Hot Shot was no match for Scavenger and was easily defeated. Afterward Scavenger hinted to Megatron about a legend of a shield that could counter the Star Saber. Overmatch
Hot Shot practiced with the saber but struggled once again against Scavenger. He eventually used the sword to cut away an unfinished bridge, causing Scavenger to fall. Gale In another battle they were transported, along with Sideways, to the Decepticon base after grabbing ahold of Megatron. After battling, Sideways was captured by Megatron, who offered a trade for the Star Saber. Hot Shot traded but with Sideways free called back the Star Saber in the form of its three components. Sideways then turned on Hot Shot and knocked it away to Starscream, who then took control of it. Credulous
With the Star Saber in hand, the Decepticons won many battles and captured more Mini-Cons. Megatron later tricked Starscream into attacking him and took the Star Saber as the Decepticon view shifted negatively against Starscream. Conspiracy Megatron used the Star Saber to attack Optimus Prime in super mode but had his attacks parried. He was later thrown into a crevasse, but kept the Star Saber in hand. Trust Back at the moon base, Megatron chased around the other Decepticons, notably Sideways, for practice. Vacation
With the Star Saber, Megatron believed himself invincible. Reinforcement Megatron attacked Optimus Prime with both the Star Saber and the Skyboom Shield. Optimus Prime's gun was cut in two and his arm was damaged. With the help of Sparkplug, Optimus was able to steal the Skyboom Shield away from Megatron. Then the Star Saber and Skyboom Shield collided, causing a beam of light to head off into space. Decisive Battle
The Autobots attempted to figure out the origins of the Star Saber while Megatron figured out new ways to attack using it. Optimus later commented that the power released when it hit the Skyboom Shield was due to the "screams of the Mini-Cons." Vow When Starscream contested Megatron for leadership of the Decepticons, Megatron bet the Star Saber to the winner. Megatron won the battle and kept the Star Saber for himself. Rebellion
Thrust asked for the Star Saber as the only way to guarantee Decepticon victory. During the battle, he let Megatron use it and never actually took possession of it. Tactician Megatron found himself increasingly frustrated with his inability to harm the Autobots due to the Skyboom Shield. He wounded Smokescreen once with it, but again found further hits parried by the shield. Linkup
The Star Saber was drawn toward the Skyboom Shield. Together they caused a signal that awakened the Mini-Cons that combined to create the Requiem Blaster. Desperate Later in the jungle Starscream used it to battle Optimus Prime. The three component Mini-Cons turned the saber off to protest the fighting. Sacrifice
After changing sides, Starscream used the Star Saber to attack Megatron and Thrust and used it to block a shot from the Requiem Blaster. Optimus Prime then took it to attack Tidal Wave. Regeneration In the attack to save the Mini-Cons, Starscream again battled Megatron and was able to chop off Megatron's turret. Rescue On the adventure to Mars, Starscream threw a tantrum and sliced a few mountains with the saber. Later when in the prescence of the Skyboom Shield and Requiem Blaster, all three weapons shone with light and then caused an explosion in space. Mars
When Starscream eventually changed sides again he took the Star Saber back to the Decepticon side. Crack He presented the saber to Megatron and was immediately threatened with it. All three weapons were then combined to power the ultimate weapon, the Hydra Cannon. Threaten
Armed with the Star Saber and Skyboom Shield, Galvatron led the attack on Cybertron and attacked Optimus Prime. Uprising Galvatron later almost handed the Star Saber to Thrust, but instead used it to attack Hot Shot, who had infiltrated the base. Wheeljack parried the attack. All this prevented Thrust from stealing the Star Saber so instead he ran off with the other two weapons. Dash When Demolishor was unable to catch the fleeing Thrust, Galvatron threatened him with the Star Saber. Drift Sideways then got angry at Thrust for not being able to secure the Star Saber with the Skyboom Shield and Requiem Blaster. Portent
Galvatron swiped at Starscream with the Star Saber then attacked Optimus Prime when Optimus attempted to negotiate a truce with the Decepticons. Optimus was able to catch the Star Saber in mid-swing. Starscream interrupted the battle, causing Galvatron to attack him. Starscream was able to dodge at first but then allowed himself to be run through. After pulling out the Star Saber from his chassis, Starscream attacked a hovering Unicron. Unicron retaliated, destroying Starscream utterly. Seeing this, Galvatron picked up the Star Saber and offered it to Optimus Prime, but Sideways appeared and stole it from his hand. Cramp
Returning to Unicron, Sideways shoved the saber into the ground, fully awakening him. Alliance It then became part of Unicron's body and the component Mini-Cons were said to be impossible to awake. Later when Galvatron and Optimus Prime invaded Unicron's interior, Galvatron saw the Star Saber and reached for it. Tentacles surrounding it attacked Galvatron, causing him to recoil. Eventually the saber was awakened by a Mini-Con song, splitting into the component Mini-Cons. Origin
Linkage
The Star Saber, Skyboom, and Requiem Blaster were the "three keys" needed to awaken Unicron. Linkage Part 10
Dreamwave Armada comic
Feeling the desire for more power, Megatron ordered the Decepticons raising the Armstrong Meat Processing and Packaging plant to capture the Air Defense Mini-Con Team. They were forcibly combined into the Star Saber. Armada #6
On the outskirts of Lincoln, South Dakota, Megatron used the Star Saber to slice into the ground, shaking the Autobase underneath. Megatron goaded Optimus Prime out, threatening to level the whole area. Optimus exited and was swiftly sliced by the Star Saber. Optimus somehow grabbed the Star Saber in the ground and pleaded for the individual Mini-Cons to resist whatever Megatron did to them. Megatron took the saber back but it split up into its individual Mini-Cons who turned their firepower against their former master. Armada #7
The team combined again for Megatron to help him defeat the dimension-hopping Galvatron. Its power allowed Megatron to be able to block a blast from Galvatron's plasma cannon. Galvatron attempted to take control of the saber but its power only flowed through Megatron. Megatron then dealt a fatal blow through Galvatron's chest. Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4 Megatron sliced Galvatron up and was ready to take on the rest of the world, but the Land Military Team fired upon the Star Saber, knocking it out of his hand and letting it split apart. Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4
Panini Armada comic
After capturing its components, Starscream assembled the Star Sabre [sic] so that he could use its power to overthrow Megatron. He shut off the Air Defence Team's personality chips in the process, which was not the best of ideas: without their minds to keep the Star Sabre's power in check, it quickly went out of control during a battle with Perceptor. Lightning filled the air and Starscream couldn't let go of the sword, and it took Optimus Prime to force it out of his hands. The Star Sabre's power threatened to tear the Earth apart, but Prime successfully reached its components and convinced them to separate. The Two-Edged Blade!
Legends World
Megatron wielded the Star Saber, Skyboom, and Requiem Blaster during his foray into the Legends World. Bonus Edition Vol. EX
Legacy VS500 Collection Special Comic
Hot Shot swung around the Star Saber as a spectator for the second week of the Speedia 500 on Velocitron. Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 3
Toys
Armada
- Takara name: Air Defense Micron
- Takara ID number: MM-02
- Takara release date: December 26, 2002
- Known designers: Hironori Kobayashi (TakaraTomy)
- Released in the first wave of Armada toys, the Air Defense Team are a trio of Mini-Cons who transform into high-tech jets, and can combine into the Star Saber weapon: Sonar the shuttle forms the sword's hilt, Jetstorm the Concorde forms the lower half of the blade, and Runway the sonic cruiser the sword's tip. In an undocumented feature, the ports on Jetstorm's heels can just barely plug into the two Powerlinx ports on Sonar's backpack/handle, which can kinda-sorta secure the Jetstorm/Sonar connection more.
- The Team has large amounts of translucent plastic, in order to utilize the light-up-fist gimmicks in Super Mode Optimus Prime and the Takara releases of Hot Shot. Unfortunately, because of the lack of a continuous light path from handle to tip, the light-up effect is less than successful. The clear-plastic also makes various joints and connectors more fragile, which can lead to stress fractures and possible/likely breakages, so treat these carefully, ok?
- This mold-set was used to make the Vorpal Saber, and retooled to make the Energon Saber, Blizzard Saber, and the Chaos Saber.
- Hot Rod & Air Defense Micron (Multi-pack, 2002)
- Sonokong name: Red Gun & Air Defense
- ID number: MS-01
- Takara release date: December 26, 2002
- In Japan, the Air Defense Microns were available both in an individual set and in a multi-pack with Hot Rod and Jolt. All of the toys in the set are identical to their individual releases.
- This set explains the team's clear plastic: it was intended to go with Takara Hot Rod's electronic light-up fist, a feature that was dropped from the Hasbro Hot Shot release of the toy for cost reasons. (The Takara version mostly just lights up sword-base, but not the rest of the Star Saber.)
- This set was also released by Sonokong in Korea, with no changes from the Takara release, other than the packaging. This was also the only way to obtain "Red Gun" (Hot Shot) and the "Air Defense" in Korea.
- Air Defense Micron Exdimensions (Exdimensions, 2002)
- ID number: MM-07
- Release date: December 26, 2002
- A limited-edition (yet still standard retail) "Exdimensions" redeco of the Air Defense Microns was released in Japan. For this version, the team's opaque plastics changed to orange and red, and the paint trim changed to match.
- This deco of the Star Saber was later repurposed as the Pyro Saber.
- CD Limited Edition Air Defense Micron (CD pack-in, 2003)
- Release date: February 1, 2003
- Cast entirely in blue and clear-blue plastics, this incarnation of the Air Defense Microns is supposed to represent the Star Saber as it appears in the cartoon when combined into the Star Saber, as a glowing blue "energy blade".
- It was only available as a pack-in with the CD single of the Legends of the Microns cartoon's ending theme, "Never Ending Road", by Psychic Lover.
- The team's official name has bounced a bit: the name listed above is what it's called on the packaging. Magazine solicitations called it the "Air Defense Micron Clear Blue Edition", while the "Micron Museum" portion of Takara's website called it the "Air Defense Micron Anime Color (CD version)".
- Jetter (Change Micron, 2003)
- Change Micron ID number: 4
- Mach (Change Micron, 2003)
- Change Micron ID number: 5
- Shuttler (Change Micron, 2003)
- Change Micron ID number: 6
- Release date: April ??, 2003
- Part of the first Kabaya candy toy Change Micron assortment, each of the Air Defense Microns were sold in individual boxes, packed with a small bag of sugar-pellet candy.
- The most immediately-noticeable change to these toys is that their transparent plastics have been replaced with opaque white (which certainly makes them a lot more sturdy). However, these toys are also actually a completely new mold-set, with various tiny detail differences from the Hasbro/Takara releases.
- Jetter (Micron Booster, 2003)
- Booster ID number: 4
- Mach (Micron Booster, 2003)
- Booster ID number: 3
- Shuttler (Micron Booster, 2003)
- Booster ID number: 5
- Release date: August 7, 2003
- Part of the first Micron Booster set, sold only in individual blind-packed boxes, this version of the Air Defense Microns is almost wholly identical to the normal retail release. The only difference is that this version is cast in slightly-sparkly plastic and uses slightly-sparkly paint. The difference is almost unnoticeable unless you look at the two versions side-by-side.
- Air Assault Mini-Con Team (Mini-Con 3-pack, 2003)
- A "tainted by evil" redeco of the team was released by Hasbro in the fourth wave of the Armada line. This version of the trio replaces the transparent plastic with opaque off-white, the other colors turning predominantly black and purple. Due to the lack of any light-up hand features in the Decepticon figures the "Dark Saber" is made to display with, being cast in opaque plastics makes sense for this release.
- This coloration was altered for the Takara Air Assault Micron set, who are separate characters from the Air Defense Mini-Con Team.
Legacy
- Armada Universe Starscream (Voyager Class, 2022)
- Origin universe: Armada Universe
- TakaraTomy ID number: TL-19
- TakaraTomy release date: February 25, 2023
- Known designers: Mark Maher (Hasbro), Ittoku Kuwazu (TakaraTomy)
- Included with Legacy Voyager Class "Armada Universe Starscream" is a non-converting Star Saber accessory, molded in the shape of the combined Air Defense Mini-Con Team. It is cast in light grey plastic with the "blade" painted light blue.
- While Starscream lacks any type of normal Powerlinx compatibility, the Star Saber actually does, although said compatibility is a pair of Powerlinx plugs rather than sockets. Still, given how few Legacy toys have Powerlinx plugs but nearly all of them have 5 mm post-holes, it's understandable.
Merchandise
Armada
- Star Saber (Role-play toy, 2003)
- Dark Saber (Role-play toy, 2003)
- Two versions of the same mold in different colors (even with different paint application layouts), the role-play version of the Star Saber / Dark Saber is a toy blade about thirteen inches long. Swinging the toy causes electronic "whooshing" sounds followed by a "clank" of metal-on-metal; the Mini-Con sigil also lights up. Pulling down on the tailfin in the middle of the blade portion swings up a pair of clear-plastic "energy" blades to surround the main one, as well as activating power-up noises. In this form (which is not appreciably longer than the other), swinging the toy produces a more impressive-sounding "crashing" noise after the "whoosh".
Super Collection Figure
- Convoy Super Mode (2003)
- A special "chase" version of the Super Mode Armada Optimus Prime PVC figurine, from "ACT-9" of the Super Collection Figure series, holds the Star Saber rather than his normal hand-cannon.
- Convoy Normal Mode (Mega Super Collection Figure, 2003)
- MSCF ID number: TF-12
- The non-super mode version of MSCF Armada Optimus Prime comes with a large Star Saber accessory: its blade is mainly detail-less clear-blue plastic to resemble its cartoon appearance.
Notes
- In the English-language dub of the Energon animated series, the Energon Sword forged from Megatron's spark is mistakenly referred to as the Star Saber on one occasion.
Foreign names
- Japanese: Star Saber (スターセイバー Sutā Seibā)
- Finnish: Tähtimiekka ("Starsword")
- French: Épée Céleste ("Celestial Sword")
- Hungarian: Pengeél ("Blade's Edge")
- Italian: Spada Stellare ("Stellar Sword")
- Korean: Star Saber (스터세이버 Seuteo Seibeo)
- Mandarin: Xīngchén Jiàn (星辰剑, "Star Sword")
- Polish: Gwiezdny miecz ("Stellar sword")
- Russian: Zvyozdniy mech (Звездный меч, "Star Sword")
- Swedish: Stjärnsabeln ("Star Saber")
