Ion blaster

I'm a pacifist, but only to a point.

The ion blaster is a kind of laser rifle and the primary weapon of several Optimus Primes. Only used by the leader of the Autobots when all attempts at peace have failed, the ion blaster ensures that freedom is the right of all sentient beings, and strikes fear in the sparks of the Decepticons who are foolish enough to challenge him.

Except Megatron. Only Primus knows how many times Optimus has shot Megatron and failed to kill him. Starscream knows that frustration all too well.

Fiction

Generation 1 continuity family

The Transformers cartoon

Prime doesn't limit himself to just the one weapon, of course.

Grimlock used the ion blaster against Starscream after Optimus Prime was defeated and brought before Megatron by the Dinobots. War of the Dinobots

Optimus Prime's ion blaster was stolen from him a few times. The first was when the Decepticons tried to take over New York City, when he was disassembled by Hook. The Constructicons then placed the arm and ion blaster atop the command post of the newly dubbed New Cybertron. As part of the building's weapons systems, Megatron used the blaster to begin firing on the Autobots. However, when Megatron and Soundwave were removed from the command post, Optimus Prime was able to regain control of the weapon and hit Devastator with it, sending him to the hard pavement below. City of Steel

Later, the human-built ninjabot Nightbird stole the ion blaster when she tried to steal the World Energy Chip, but Optimus Prime recovered it rather quickly. Enter the Nightbird

When both Autobots and Decepticons briefly allied to free Cybertron from the rogue Combaticons, Optimus used his blaster to target Bruticus's weakpoint, felling the combiner. The Revenge of Bruticus

During the Battle of Autobot City, Optimus attempted to use it to slay Megatron once and for all only for Hot Rod to interfere. The Transformers: The Movie

Upon being revived by Quintessons, Optimus used the weapon to chase away Galvatron. Dark Awakening When properly returned to life, Optimus kept his weapon and used it in the final battles of the Great War. The Rebirth, Part 2 The Rebirth, Part 3

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

Because the middle of your back is the easiest place to reach.

During a fight with Devastator, Optimus Prime drove up on the massive robot while removing his ion blaster from a compartment on his back. Then he shot Devastator's face off. Prime Directive issue 5

2005 IDW continuity

Replacement ion rifle hinges: hard to find.

Ion blasters were among the weapons the Decepticons smuggled onto Cybertron via Hefter. Jetfire grabbed one and shot down a Decepticon enforcer, saving the life of Orion Pax. Feel Safe Without Regrets Prowl later claimed the weapon as evidence in the case. The Next Day, and the Next

Ironfist fashioned Optimus Prime's ion blaster during his first campaign in the Manganese Mountains, though unfortunately Prime mistook Ironfist for his chief rival, Skyfall. Last Stand of the Wreckers #4

While in vehicle mode, Optimus Prime keeps his (folded up) ion blaster in his cab. When he transforms, the Ion blaster is ejected, allowing him to grab it in midair. So that's where it goes. Now if we could only figure out where the trailer goes... During the course of the battle, a shot from Prime's ion blaster managed to blow up Megatron's much-more powerful fusion cannon by entering through the cannon's barrel. Escalation #5

He kept the weapon after changing his name back to Orion Pax Syndromica (2) before getting a version incorporated into his left arm. Homecoming Despite this, he reverted to the hand held version soon after. Black Metal

While speaking to the President of the United States, Optimus regarded the weapon before he handed it off to Aileron who spent the rest of the day awkwardly carrying around a gun half her size. The Next Day, and the Next

Optimus' ion blaster was last seen in his possession as he and Arcee fought through a horde of Unicron's antibodies as they followed the Talisman to Unicron before Optimus sacrificed himself to fell the monster. Ceremony

Beast Wars: Uprising

Snapper swore by "Prime's Ion Blaster". Cultural Appropriation

Transformers/Ghostbusters

After getting a proton pack, Optimus Prime originally channeled the proton stream through his ion blaster before, when confronted by the vengeful ghost of Megatron, he plugged the pack directly into his systems and manifested the power through his energon-axe. Ghosts of Cybertron Part 4

War for Cybertron Trilogy marketing material

The Ion blaster (or cannon) was Optimus Prime's primary weapon. Earthrise webpage^[1] During the War for Cybertron, Optimus used the "W-M3 RF Ion Blaster", which was designed by Wheeljack And could combine with the "W-50 Dual-Mech Energon Strikeshield" to form the "Sentrystrike Ultra-Blaster" using the C.O.M.B.A.T. System. Autobot weapons database on Hasbro Pulse^[2] The dark ion blaster was one of Nemesis Prime's powers and weapons. Kingdom webpage^[3]

Energon Universe

When the Autobots and Decepticons were reactivated on Earth, Optimus made the decision to destroy Teletraan One, firing his ion blaster directly into the supercomputer's main console. Transformers #1

After Optimus had Megatron's right arm affixed to him, Optimus opened fire on Devastator both with his ion blaster and Megatron's fusion cannon. Transformers #6

When the Decepticons opened a space bridge to Cybertron, Elita One, who had jumped through the portal, grabbed Prime's ion blaster and used it to shoot the space bridge's terminal, shutting down the portal. Transformers #9

Live-action film series

"Any last words?"
"The Fallen shall rise again!"
"That sounds like an oxymoron."
"Your mother is an oxymor-" *Bang*

Optimus Prime's primary range weapon is an ion blaster, though he prefers to use his Dual Energon Swords in combat, leaving the blaster stored inside his back. Once fired, it releases a wave of radiation condensed into an energy ball that will destroy anything in its path.^[4] During the battle of Mission City, Optimus managed to get off a single shot of his ion blaster at Megatron before he was sent flying by the latter's fusion cannon. Transformers

Two years later, Optimus was fighting Demolishor in Shanghai and critically injured the Decepticon by putting several point blank shots into his head. He later executed the dying Constructicon with a shot through the optic. Several days later, Optimus shot at Megatron and Starscream with his ion blaster and barrage cannon while rescuing Sam Witwicky. Revenge of the Fallen

Three years later, during his battle against Sentinel Prime in Chicago, Optimus Prime tried to defend himself from the Decepticons fighter ships using his ion blaster, but was mostly unsuccessful and apparently lost his blaster in the explosions. Dark of the Moon

Prime cartoon

aM jUsT fIrInG mA lAzErZ

Optimus Prime had two ion blasters retracted in each arm which fired powerful energy blasts. Darkness Rising, Part 2 After being upgraded to a stronger body by the Forge of Solus Prime, Optimus Prime got a new, more powerful ion blaster which resembled a handheld machine gun. Having the same model as his leader, Ultra Magnus also had two installed, although he never got the cool machine gun. Rebellion

While preparing for the battle against Unicron, Bumblebee reviewed the arsenal aboard the Nemesis which included ion blasters. Predacons Rising

The design of this blaster was also used for Prime's slightly larger and bulkier Path Blaster. Fall of Cybertron

IDW Shattered Glass continuity

During the final battle against the Decepticons on Earth, Optimus Prime used his ion blaster to disable Megatron's fusion cannon. The Decepticon leader attempted to retaliate by taking a swipe at the ion blaster but the weapon survived. Shattered Glass #2

Games

Transformers: War for Cybertron

Elmer Fudd called he wants his Bunny-wabbit hunting gun back!

Optimus Prime's signature weapon is a little more powerful than the Neutron assault rifle, but with twice the rate of fire, it makes a suitable weapon for the Leader class.

Carried by: Leaders, Optimus

• The blaster has the following in-game stats:
  • Damage: 4
  • Range: 5
  • Accuracy: 4
  • Rate of Fire: 10

• Max Load: 300
• Per Mag: 50

Toys

Generation 1 Optimus Prime

Main article: Optimus Prime (G1)/toys

Main article: Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys

If you build it, they will play. This toys & merchandise-related article is a stub. You can help Transformers Wiki by expanding it. What's needed: Descriptions for everything from Power of the Primes onward

20th Anniversary/Masterpiece

• Optimus Prime (2003/2004)
• Convoy (Lucky Draw figure, 2004)
• Convoy Perfect Edition (2006, 2009)
• Convoy Sleep Mode (2010)

20th Anniversary/Masterpiece Optimus Prime was one of the first Optimus Prime toys to refer to his iconic laser rifle as an "ion blaster". The TakaraTomy Japanese releases of this figure have consistently coloured the rifle dark grey, and while early releases of Hasbro's followed suit, they were very quickly changed to black as a running change.

• Convoy (2011)

MP-10 Convoy is an entirely new tooling of Generation 1 Optimus Prime. Convoy is now smaller, making him more in-scale with other recent Masterpiece toys, such as MP-28 Hot Rodimus, and comes with a trailer and various accessories, including a smaller, new-mold ion blaster. It can be hand-held or mount onto Roller, or store in blaster mode inside the trailer, regardless of which configuration the trailer is in. Just like its appearance in The Transformers: Escalation, it can fold up and store in its owner's back, automatically transforming back into a blaster when pressing on the latch at the back that's holding the spring-loaded mechanisms in place.

• Convoy (August 24, 2019)

The all-new mold of Masterpiece MP-44 Convoy also comes with an Ion Blaster as usual, and like the first Masterpiece figure, it doesn't transform into storage mode. However, the barrel can attach one of the effect parts for the jetpack.

Titanium Series

Prime's gun before some decepti-morons spray painted it black.

• Optimus Prime (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2006)
• War Within Optimus Prime vs. War Within Megatron Battlepack (Multipack, 2007)

The silver ion blaster that comes with Titanium Series The War Within Optimus Prime featured the first name of its designer, Don Figueroa, sculpted into its sides.

Classics (2006)

And it's blue for safety reasons!

• Optimus Prime (20th Anniversary DVD Edition, 2006)

When 20th Anniversary/Masterpiece Optimus Prime was released in the Classics toyline to commemorate the 20th Anniversary DVD release of The Transformers: The Movie, his ion blaster was coloured blue for some reason.

• Pepsi Optimus Prime (Autobot, 2007)

A retool of the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime toy, his laser rifle was redubbed the ion blaster to fit in line with Hasbro's modern naming scheme.

Transformers (2010)

So this explains how different characters pull out ridiculous big guns from their behind.

• Masterpiece Optimus Prime (2012)

The Toys"R"Us-exclusive Transformers Masterpiece Optimus Prime toy is Hasbro's release of the MP-10 Convoy mold, featuring various plastic color and paint detail changes. His Ion blaster was re-dubbed into an "Ion Cannon," but is otherwise unchanged.

Generations

• Optimus Prime & Roller (Legends Class, 2013)
• Optimus Prime & Bumblebee (Multi-pack, 2013)

Generations: Thrilling 30 Legends Class Optimus Prime comes with his Ion Blaster which has both 5mm and 3mm posts, allowing it to peg onto his hands and roof, as well as onto Roller's 5mm hole in vehicle mode and onto his 3mm hole in weapon mode. The butt of the Ion Blaster can also be inserted between the barrels of Roller's weapon mode to form a longer weapon.

• Orion Pax (Deluxe, 2013)
• Orion Pax VS Megatronus (Multi-pack, 2013)

Generations: Thrilling 30 Deluxe Class Orion Pax comes with his Ion Blaster, which can peg onto 5mm ports on his hands and vehicle rear sides.

Power of the Primes

• Evolution Optimus Prime (Leader Class, 2017)

Power of the Primes Optimus Prime comes with an Ion Blaster that is capable of separating into two individual pieces for the smaller Orion Pax figure to hold.

War for Cybertron: Siege

• Optimus Prime (Voyager Class, 2018)
• Classic Animation Optimus Prime (Voyager Class, 2019)

The Siege Voyager Class Optimus Prime comes with a single-piece Ion Blaster, which can combine with the included Strikeshield.

Collaborative

• MP-10G Optimus Prime Ecto-35 Edition (July 19, 2019)

Generations Selects

• Star Convoy (September 28, 2019)

As a retool of the Power of the Primes toy, Selects Star Convoy retains the 2-piece Ion Blaster. It can also accommodate the chromed Matrix.

War for Cybertron: Earthrise

• Optimus Prime (Leader Class, 2020)

Earthrise Optimus Prime comes with an Ion Blaster, which can be stored on his back in two different ways depending on how you displayed the Boss bot.

• Alternate Universe Optimus Prime (Leader Class, 2020)

War for Cybertron Trilogy

• Deluxe Centurion Drone Weaponizer Pack (Deluxe Class with accessories pack, 2020)

A more slender and cartoon-accurate ion blaster is included among the plethora of accessories composing the Centurion Drone Weaponizer Pack. Like the energon axe it comes with, the ion blaster is intended to go with Earthrise Optimus Prime... except it's positively gargantuan compared to Prime himself! Nearly as large as the weapon included with the Masterpiece version, it's actually scaled much closer to the Power of the Primes Optimus toy. Almost like the designers were only told the blaster was for a Leader class Optimus toy, unaware that said "Leader class" toy was in fact only Voyager-sized with an extra trailer beefing up the price...

Well gee, axe us!

• Optimus Prime (Battle 3-Pack, 2020)

optimus prall (prime small)

• Optimus Prime (Core Class, 2020)

Legacy

• Optimus Prime & Bumblebee (2-pack, 2023)
  • Accessories': Ion blaster, stinger blaster, axe, trailer, Roller, repair drone

• Known designers: Evan Brooks (Hasbro), Ittoku Kuwazu (TakaraTomy)^[5]

This Hasbro Pulse exclusive box set includes a de facto reissue of the Kingdom ion blaster with its accompanying Optimus Prime.

The set was revealed and put up for preorder on the June 20 Hasbro Pulse Fanstream.

Movie Optimus Prime

Main article: Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys

Transformers (2007)

Leader Class toys

"Watch out! He's got an ion blaster!" *little plastic balls shoot out*

• Optimus Prime (Leader Class, 2007)
• Nightwatch Optimus Prime (Leader Class, UK 2007)
• Nightwatch Optimus Prime (Leader Class, USA 2008)

The initial mold for the Transformers (2007) Leader Class Optimus Prime featured a spring-loaded ion blaster mounted on the side of his arm. It was deployed via Automorphing by sliding a lever, which caused the gun to flip over and cover his hand. This gun was replaced by an energon sword on the "Premium" retool/redeco of this toy in 2008.

Robot Replicas

• Optimus Prime (Robot Replica, 2007)
• Megatron vs. Optimus Prime (Multi-pack, 2007)

Robot Replicas Optimus Prime featured an ion blaster that could replace his right forearm.

Revenge of the Fallen

• Buster Optimus Prime (Leader, 2009)
• Jetpower Optimus Prime (Leader 2-pack, 2009)

• Known designers: Hironori Kobayashi (TakaraTomy)

The TakaraTomy Japanese/Asia-exclusive Revenge of the Fallen Buster Optimus Prime (itself a retool of the regular Leader Class Revenge Optimus Prime) featured an ion blaster that was assembled from his vehicle mode's fuel tanks and smokestacks. The transforming blaster was designed by Hironori Kobayashi, the TakaraTomy designer best known for his work on the Binaltech/Alternators and Masterpiece toylines.

Dark of the Moon

Deluxe Class toys

• Lunarfire Optimus Prime (MechTech Deluxe, 2011)

This redeco of Deluxe-Class Optimus Prime has a redecoed version of Dark of the Moon MechTech Voyager Class Optimus Prime's Ion Blaster/Battle Cannon.

Voyager Class toys

• Optimus Prime (MechTech Voyager, 2011)

This new mold Dark of the Moon MechTech Voyager-Class Optimus Prime has a MechTech Ion Blaster that converts into a Battle Cannon.

• Optimus Prime / MechTech Trailer (MechTech Voyager, 2011)
• Tritanium Optimus Prime (MechTech Voyager, 2011)

This Japanese exclusive retool of MechTech Voyager-Class Optimus Prime, aside from coming with a MechTech trailer, has a new mold of the Ion Blaster that converts into an Energon Sword.

As the blaster is painted clear plastic, exercise caution while mounting onto several figures or otherwise: the painted handle is prone to chipping if mounted onto the slightly narrow hands or the trailer's sideways MechTech ports.

Supreme Class toys

Let's see what you can see... This article is in need of images. Specifics: Ion blaster parts

• Jetwing Optimus Prime (MechTech Supreme, 2011)
• Jetwing Optimus Prime Black Version (MechTech Supreme, cancelled)
• JETWING OPTIMUS PRIME Black Ver. (MechTech Supreme, 2011)
• Jetwing Optimus Prime (Amazon.com-exclusive MechTech Supreme, 2012)

A retooled version of Revenge of the Fallen Leader Class Buster Optimus Prime with a humongous jet-pack and massive dual Gatling cannons. The transforming fuel tanks/ion blaster parts are retained.

Studio Series

• Optimus Prime (Voyager, 2018)
• Optimus Prime (Leader, 2019)

This retool of the original Studio Series Optimus replaces his Energon swords with an ion blaster. The Voyager release includes black paint applications on the barrel; the Leader omits these.

• Optimus Prime (Voyager Class, 2019)

This new mold of Optimus Prime also comes with a Generation 1-inspired Ion Blaster.

• Gamer Edition Optimus Prime (Voyager, 2023)

"Gamer Edition Optimus Prime", based on his War for Cybertron design, comes with a blaster modeled after the Ion blaster from War for Cybertron. It can swap out with the removable right arms of Optimus and other figures from the Gamer Edition series, emulating the way characters' arms in-game transformed into their weapons.

Prime

While not named in the package, many of these Primes come with a weapon that is molded after the blaster.

First Edition

• Matrix of Leadership SDCC Optimus Prime (Deluxe, 2011)
• Optimus Prime vs Megatron: A Rivalry Reborn (Entertainment Pack, 2011)

The Deluxe-sized Optimus Prime comes with a rifle that is modeled after his in-show Ion Blaster.

• Optimus Prime (Voyager, 2011)
• Shining Optimus Prime (Voyager, 2012-06-16)
• Dark Guard Optimus Prime (Voyager, 2012-12-01)

See: Plasma Cannon#First Edition

The Voyager-sized First Edition Optimus Prime also comes with a rifle that is based on his Ion Blaster, but instead it was called a "Plasma cannon"! yeahbutwha?

Cyberverse

• Optimus Prime (Cyberverse Commander, 2012)\
• Autobot Set (EZ Collection 6-pack, 2012-11-24)

This smaller commander-sized mold of Prime Optimus Prime comes with a pair of "battle cannon" weapons that resembles his Ion blasters, which feature multiple 3mm posts and ports, allowing them to be held by his hands, or store/mount onto numerous ports on his person.

Weaponizer Class Toys

• Optimus Prime (Weaponizer, 2012)

This Leader-sized Optimus Prime comes with a pistol-sized Ion Blaster.

Notes

• In the original toy and the original cartoon, Prime's weapon was referred to as a laser rifle, but many newer toys have called it an ion blaster.
• One notable aspect of Optimus Prime's Generation 1 and Generation 2 toys is that the figure can only hold it by the ammo casing, as the weapon handle is unable to fit in Prime's hand. Also, the gun's rifle butt is too large for Prime to hold it straight, so the gun must be turned at a slight angle. Strangely, this has never been altered in reissues.
• The Japanese-exclusive Robotmasters toy packaging calls this weapon the Convoy Gun.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Laser Rifle (レーザーライフル Rēzā Raifuru)

References