Editing Setting:Transformers (section)

==Specialist Transformers==
'''Multi-formers''': Although all Cybertronians can transform, shifting between more than two forms at once is a specialised skill, and one held in much esteem by the majority who cannot. Most multi-formers are only capable of shifting between three different forms, though often diametrically different. The process requires a considerable amount of mental flexibility to master, and there are stereotypes portraying multi-formers as dangerous and/or unstable as a side effect. Even if the skill is developed, actually achieving it requires extensive physical modifications to the chassis, allowing a Cybertronian to properly shift between its various forms. Multi-formers are about equal between the Autobot/Decepticon divide; the Autobots are generally more mentally stable and disciplined, making it easier for them to successfully attain this status, whilst Decepticons are more likely to care about the combat boost over the risk to the Cybertronian's mental health.

'''Combiners/Gestalts''': Akin to multi-formers, combiners and gestalts are unique transformers on both a mental and a physical basis. On a practical level, both variants are the same; multiple transformers who can physically merge into a single, more powerful form. The difference is in the numbers; combiners consist of only two individuals, whilst gestalts consist of three or more. Beyond that, the actual mechanics for the merging varies widely from partnership to partnership; a merging transformer may come together to form a unique vehicle mode, a beast mode, or, more iconically, a gargantuan humanoid mode. As a general rule, combiners tend to be more stable than gestalts, and many combiners are transformer mutants who can divide their sparks between two chassis at once. Gestalts, however, are always based on multiple individual transformers, and this resultant combination of minds often goes wrong. Many gestalts in their merged form are insane, as personality conflicts are magnified and exaggerated, leading in the worst cases to transformers literally at war with themselves. Others are ''too'' sane, with their mental similarities intermeshing and strengthening each other until they become equally deranged. Stereotypically, combiners are more common amongst the Autobots, who tend to be better at getting along in such a fashion, whilst the Decepticon prize of lethality over sanity means they are more willing to risk gestalts becoming dangers to their side as well. In truth, both types of mergers can be found on both sides of the alignment divide.

'''Pretenders''': Although any Cybertronian can assume any kind of form, when it comes to organic-based alternate forms - beast forms - the results are less than convincing. Even the best of such disguises are mechanical, cybernetic monstrosities that can't hope to walk amongst organics. The pretenders, however, have achieved a whole new level of realism. Using rarer advanced mechanisms for transformation, these Cybertronians can alter their size and mass as well as their bodies, allowing them to walk amongst organics undetected. Though one may think that the Autobots make greater use of this technology, in truth, they have almost as little need for it as most Decepticons do; the Imperium is a nightmarish horror that the Autobots want nothing to do with, whilst their true form is better for mingling with the Tau or Eldar. Only one faction makes extensive use of this art as a group; Starscream's Brigade. These elite Decepticon agents infiltrate, manipulate and subvert human civilisation to further their own goals, and are one of the greatest nightmares that the Inquisition has faced. For as realistic as the shell may look, that is all that it is; many Imperial Assassins have fatally underestimated their targets and been torn apart when their victim proved more than meets the eye.  Some of the early attempts at pretenders, as done by Thunderwing and Bludgeon; instead tried to create a sort of Cybertronian super soldier of tremendous size and strength, though those of Thunderwing's generation are completely mad and are used more like bombs than anything else; awakened out of stasis on planets to destroy everything on them and collected once they run out of energon.  Bludgeon's cadre is more stable, and continues to further pretender research for Starscream, or lay waste to a world if needed.

'''Minicons''': While most Transformers are "Zoggin' 'uge" as Warboss Metalkrakka put it, the Minicons are generally about the size of a human or even a human child.  This is said to be the result of them being templated on Micronus Prime, the first minicon and one of the original thirteen Transformers created by Primus; the archangels of the god of Order whom the Transformers revere in a manner between that of saints and polytheistic gods.  Minicons tend to partner with a larger Cybertronian, offering them weaponry, power boosts, or even direct aid in battle.  Soundwave in particular is a keen user of Minicons, preferring them to the so-called "masters" and employs an elite squadron of them that he is capable of deploying from his chest at his command to aid him in battle.  

'''Masters''': Another breed of Cybertronian associated mostly with the exploitative Decepticons allied to Starscream in these dark days, transformer masters form unique partnerships with organics. Cybernetically converted into pseudo-Cybertronians, these "partners" are mentally and physically linked to a Cybertronian warrior, enhancing both in specific and deadly ways. This level of trust is almost unheard of in the 41st millennium; most "partners" are recruited from Decepti-cults, or, more likely, were bred for the role upon lost human or Xenos worlds that have fallen under the sway of Cybertronian influence or been completely conquered by transformers for generations.
* '''Targetmasters''': The most common type of Master, the partners for these Cybertronians assume the form of powerful weapons. With the partners' independent minds and senses working in concert, they have unparalleled accuracy and drastically heightened response time - at least, such is the theory. Stereotypically, Targetmasters tend to be either elite snipers, delivering death with nanometer precision, or walking artillery batteries, sweeping the enemy aside under a torrential deluge of firepower.
* '''Powermasters''': Rarer than Targetmasters, Powermasters are Cybertronians whose partners transform into their engines. Such transformers are typically incapable of independently transforming, requiring the interlink of their partner to catalyze the shift between forms, but they gain considerable advantages; their partners are capable of fighting alongside them in either form, ensuring they always have an ally literally to hand. Furthermore, when interlinked, a Powermaster's partner supercharges the Cybertronian's physical structure. Such a transformer has increased speed and strength, their reflexes are heightened drastically and even their self-repair systems operate more smoothly. Powermasters are often adrenaline junkies and speed demons, with a propensity for nervous twitches.
* '''Headmasters''': Rarest of all, even amongst Starscream's Brigade, a Headmaster is the ultimate Cybertronian-organic interface. Physically transforming into the cranial processing unit of their transformer partner, a Headmaster is a fusion of two minds, offering increased perspective, knowledge, skills, processing power and abilities. When they interlink, the two can think faster and clearer than ever... assuming their personalities are compatible; the risk of lethal madness is another factor keeping these transformers rare. What makes them especially valuable, particularly to Starscream, is that Headmasters are the only transformers who can ''use psychic powers''. The organic mind within grants them a connection to the warp, whilst the Cybertronic mind enhances the organic's ability to protect itself from daemonic predators and channel warp energy. Though active skill in traditional psionic powers is uncommon among them, headmasters tend to be experts at countering psychic powers and to be master daemon-slayers, rending daemons asunder by channelling warp energies in ways even the Eldar are hard-pressed to match.