Protoform

In the fictional world of the Transformers, protoforms are "basic frames" of a Cybertronian placed in stasis until a suitable form can be found.

Origin of the term

"Beast Wars: Transformers" (1996-1999)

Protoforms played a major part in the "Beast Wars" saga, as the "Axalon" was carrying several dozen protoforms in stasis, which were ejected before crashing to Earth.

Protoforms are usually already imbued with a spark (self-awareness, life essence) before being placed into a stasis pod; those without a spark are referred to as "blanks". During the "Axalon"'s journey, the Quantum Wave possibly destroyed these sparks while leaving the bodies intact. It is also possible that these blanks were intended to be used as spare bodies for the crew in case their own were damaged or destroyed.

Stasis pods are also rather delicate, and the slightest damage can erase the protoform's memories. As a result, of the protoforms activated during the Beast Wars, only Rampage (and Packrat in the comic series) has any memory of life before going into stasis. It is likely that the others also had lives on Cybertron, as all Transformers who emerge from the pods seem more mature than Cheetor.

It is unknown in what era of Cybertronian history that protoform technology became available. In the Dreamwave comics, protoforms exist in the "Micromasters" series, which is set on Cybertron after the "Ark" and "Nemesis" were launched and lost in space.

It was implied in the television series and Wreckers comic book that some of the protoforms were criminals shipped off planet. This was the case with Packrat (a master thief) and Protoform X (aka Rampage, a serial killer).

In the IDW Publications mini-series, "", the Predacon Magmatron and his troops arrived on Earth on a mission to follow up on the failure of Ravage. Magmatron had his own agenda to convert many of the unused protoforms in stasis pods into Predacon soldiers under his command, but the Maximal under cover agent Razorbeast sabotaged the plan, resulting in many of the protoforms emerging as Maximals. Magmatron also recovered the remains of Ravage and used a blank protoform to bring him back as a Transmetal.

On Film

"Transformers" (2007)

In the 2007 live-action film "Transformers", Autobots en route to Earth change their alternate modes into structures resembling solid comets or burning meteorites for space travel (a possible homage to the stasis pods plot device from "Beast Wars"). Once they arrive, they will transform into an equally detailed yet generic & undefined robot mode to allow them more stable ground mobility in order to search for an adaptable disguised form (aka vehicle mode); upon which scanning and replication are initiated and completed within seconds, giving them their now-unique physical characteristics. These near-identical transformable skeleton-like forms are referred to by fans as "protoforms" due to their generally similar appearance and function to the "Beast Wars" versions, though they are not specifically named such in the film. Also, a protoform retains the same mass as the final appearance of a Cybertronian with a chosen vehicle mode after scanning & replication are complete, so one protoform can be larger and/or smaller than another. Whether-or-not a protoform has [usable] weapons is not shown or mentioned of in the film. In the book, protoforms are the base forms for all transformers on Cybertron, hence their skeletal look; all armor, weapons, sensors, transformation, etc. are integrated into this later when landfall is made. (Bumblebee is portrayed on Cybertron as a protoform and later in the book Starscream, Barricade, and Blackout are seen as protoforms on Mars). It should also be noted that a Transformer can apparently turn into a protoform as much as it needs to. Bumblebee first landed on Mars and then went to Earth after finding a Mars rover, evidencing the theory.

Much unlike those in "Beast Wars", protoforms in the live-action film are shown to be extremely tough and durable, obviously withstanding the atmospheric reentry and hard landing as they arrive on Earth, as said by the "Transformers Movie Guide"; whereas in "Beast Wars", protoforms (see above) are portrayed as fragile and delicate.

The toys of protoforms of Optimus Prime and Starscream were available for sale before their normal Earth forms were; this may be the first time a protoform of any kind was available as a toy.