Shrapnel is generally considered our leader, because Megatron tends to talk to him when he addresses the group. And in the comics, he was Straxus' second in command ( and got slapped like one, too. )

Toy Tech Specs

Affiliation: Decepticon
Subgroup: Insecticons
Function: Electronic Warfare

"Control electricity and you control the world."

The noise of war and the scream of his foes are music to this loathsome Insecticon's audio-modules ... has piercing battle cry ... can be heard 8 miles away. In insect Mode, can use antennae to control almost any electrical device. In robot Mode, can attract lightning bolts to antennae and shoot them out hands. Grenade launcher shoots 30-pound steel balls that splinter into razor-sharp spikes. Insulation can stop his electrical blasts.

STR:4 INT:6 SPD:4 END:7 RNK:6 CRG:6 FPR:8 SKL:9

Robot-mode
Insect-mode
Japanese reissue card
Japanese reissue tech specs

Transformers: Universe Profile

Profile: The crackling sound of fused body parts short-circuiting is a sure sign of Shrapnel's work ... and is music to his audio modules. In fact, whether he's scrambling microchips or shattering an armoured torso, it isthe noise of war, the scream of his victim that Shrapnel considers the true rewards of his work. He relishes these sounds much the same way an actor relishes applause. And he's not shy about showing his own evil glee - the piercing battle cry of this loathesome Insecticon can be heard up to eight miles away.

Abilities: In insect mode, Shrapnel can use his twin antennae to generate an electric burst up to 40,000 volts. He can also use his antennae with enough precision to control virtually any electrically run device - from a pocket calculator to a small factory. He can fly up to 50 miles. In robot mode, his antennae can, in the proper weather conditions, attract massive bolts of lightning from the sky to augment his own electrical generating capacity, and then release that power through his hands. He also carries a grenade launcher that shoots a 30 pound steel ball that splinters into thousands of razor-sharp spikes in mid-air. Needless to say, anything caught in their path would be sliced to ribbons.

Weaknesses: Insulating materials, such as rubber and glass, can be used to thwart Shrapnel's electronic assaults. Also, his habit of making his presence known audibly makes him an obvious target.

Shrapnel

More Than Meets The Eye Profile

Bio: The characteristic quirk of Shrapnel's speech, the eerie and sibilant way he repeats the last word in every sentence, is actually the least disturbing thing about him. He's fascinated by the power of electricity, especially its effect on living subjects. He uses his amazing mastery over electricty to painfully dismantle his foes, one charred circuit at a time. The pitiful wails resulting from his evil handiwork elicit unabashed glee in Shrapnel, whose terrifying battle cry can be heard for almost 8 miles when he gets excited.

Weapons/Abilities: Subject's twin antennae are able to attract, generate, and control electrical current. On their own, they can generate up to 40,000 volts of energy and can channel even more current in the proper weather conditions. By careful manipulation, Subject can use his antennae to control almost all electrically powered mechanical devices. In insect mode, he can fly up to 50 miles. In robot mode, he can channel his electrical bolts through his arms. He also weilds a grenade launcher that fires 30 lb. steel shells. The shells explode in mid-air and shower targets with thousands of razor-sharp projectiles, tearing most armour to shreds. Despite having slightly below-average strength, Subject's electrical power makes him the most physically dangerous Insecticon.

Weaknesses: Subject's powers can be diminished by a number of insulating materials. His loud battle cries often make him a highly visible target.

Robot-mode
Insect-mode

Click here for Shrapnel's screencap gallery.

Back to Insectistats
Back to In Space, No One Can Hear Starscream