Combat Deck


 * Combat Deck is a component of Autobot leader Optimus Prime.

In robot mode, Optimus Prime splits into three components:


 * A sentient robot module, the Brain Center.
 * A wheeled drone module known as Roller.
 * A Combat Deck.

Although Optimus Prime can function as three independent modules, injury to any one module is felt by the other two.

Prime can operate by remote-control his Combat Deck module up to a distance of 1500 feet. The Auto-Launcher mounted on the deck can use a variety of artillery and radiation beam weapons, including most of those used by his fellow Autobots. The launcher also includes a highly dexterous grapple-arm which allows it to load itself and change its weaponry. The communications disk antenna mounted on the launcher provides a link between Optimus and all his fellow Autobots within a radius of 50 miles. It can be adapted to a satellite hook-up that increases its effective range tenfold. (Occasionally, though, the antenna can be replaced by a second claw, as indicated in the photo to the right.)

Unlike Roller, the Combat Deck does not possess autonomous intelligence, but it has shown several times the strange ability to come and go out of nowhere. Spooky...

Generation 1 cartoon continuity
The Combat Deck was first used by Optimus Prime during a battle with Megatron, during which the two fired at each other at the same time. While the Combat Deck's blasts knocked Megatron's fusion cannon off his arm, Megatron's blast blew the Combat Deck cannon to pieces. This didn't seem to hurt Prime, unless he's really good at shrugging off pain.

Optimus Prime later used the Combat Deck to help the Autobots with a battle in the Arctic. The Combat Deck managed to damage Skywarp's stabilizers, causing him to crash into Thundercracker in midair and taking out both Seekers.

When Optimus Prime was briefly turned evil, he activated the Combat Deck and Roller to attack his fellow Autobots when they tried to help him. It didn't hit anything, and stopped firing at them as soon as it was hit with an attitude exchanger.

Although it didn't fully appear, the Combat Deck's arm can be clearly seen lifting the body of the ailing Elita One into Prime's Trailer.