Master Sword - Transformers Wiki

The Master Sword (マスターソード Masutā Sōdo), "blade of blades, wielded only by the righteous and just", is the single most powerful weapon created by the super-science of the planet Master, and the ultimate weapon of Autobot Headmaster leader Fortress Maximus.

In addition to the massive blade, the term "Master Sword" also refers to the small dagger-like device housed in the control console of Battleship Maximus. When this is drawn from the console by Fortress, the battleship transforms to robot mode, to which Fortress connects in head mode, forming Fortress Maximus. To unsheath the sword, Fortress's physical and mental energies must be in perfect synchronization; the activation of the Master Sword and his transformation into Fortress Maximus drains them severely, requiring an extended period of recharging before it can be accomplished again, eating away at Fortress's life force every time he goes Maximus.

Fiction

Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity

The Headmasters cartoon

Fortress first unsheathed the Master Sword when the Decepticons unleashed a monstrous carnivorous plant on San Francisco. Unable to draw the sword at first, Fortress was galvanized by cries for help from his Headmaster troops, and became Fortress Maximus for the first time to whack the plant's weed with the Master Sword. Head On!! Fortress Maximus The Master Sword proceeded to be a weapon that turned the tide of many a battle, and ultimately forced the Decepticons from Earth when it perforated the weak spot of Scorponok. I Risk My Life for Earth

Seeking a way to counter the power of the Master Sword, Scorponok headed for planet Master. There, he attempted to learn the secrets and weaknesses of the Master Sword by having one of the scientists responsible for creating it, Jack, captured and tortured. Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 2) This approach failed, but while burrowing underground, he located the ore necessary to create the incredible durable G-Metal, and proceeded to capture the Autobot Wheelie, ransoming him for a disc containing all the data on the Master Sword. The Master Sword Is in Danger!! Combining these, he successfully created the Zarak Shield, which proved able to deflect the Master Sword when they first clashed in battle. Operation: Destroy the Decepticons

Returning to Earth, Scorponok initiated a plan to destroy the planet, culminating in a massive battle between the Autobot and Decepticon armies at the North Pole. Powered up by the combining energies of the Autobots, relayed to him through the Headmasters' Head Formation, Fortress Maximus used the Master Sword to destroy the Zarak Shield, and Scorponok's Transtector, saving the planet. The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)

The new Battleship Maximus built in the Legends World also came equipped with the small and large Master Swords. Taking over Fortress's transtector, Weirdwolf attempted to unsheath the sword and transform the base into "Weird Maximus", but failed to balance his physical and mental energies appropriately and was knocked out. After transforming into Fortress Maximus, Fortress used the larger Master Sword to pierce the device Tarantulas was using to control Metroplex. Bonus Edition Vol. 31

Grand Maximus got his own Master Sword to use with a new transtector that matched Fortress's in size. Bonus Edition Vol. EX

Transformers vs. G.I. Joe

The Master Sword was thus named because it contained the souls of the Blind Master, Soft Master, and Hard Master. Their pupil, Snake-Eyes, acquired the sword and through it he bonded with Fortress Maximus and become the city-bot's new Headmaster partner. Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12

Prime Wars Trilogy cartoons

Fortress Maximus summoned the Master Sword and attempted to strike Megatronus, but his fiery aura managed to repel the blade, causing it to dissipate and Maximus to be knocked back. All Things Must Pass

Toys

Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers

• Fortress Maximus (Headmaster Base, 1987)
  • Japanese ID number: C-114

• Known designers: Kōjin Ōno (TakaraTomy)

Available only with the Japanese release of the Fortress Maximus toy, both forms of the Master Sword are included—the small version, which can be wielded by Fortress, and the large version, which fits in the hand of Fortress Maximus. It is currently unknown if the swords were originally planned for the Hasbro version but dropped for price or safety concerns, or if they were a Takara-initiated addition to their release of the toy.

The Master Sword was redecoed to make the Master Blade included with Grand Maximus, and slightly retooled to make the Matrix Blade.

Encore

• Fortress Maximus (Headmaster Base, 2013)
  • Japanese ID number: #23
  • Accessories: Headmaster unit, Cerebros large Headmaster unit, Gasket, Grommet, Photon Rifle, Dual Laser Cannon, Cerebros's Mini Laser Rifle, Cog's Laser rifle, Radar Scope, Master Sword, Cerebros's sword.

The Encore release of Fortress Maximus retains his Master Sword accessory.

Titans Return

• Fortress Maximus (San Diego Comic-Con exclusive, 2016)
  • Accessories: Cerebros, Emissary, 2 leg guns, gun turret, Master Sword

The San Diego Comic-Con 2016 exclusive release of Fortress Maximus comes with a new Master Sword weapon decoed after its appearances in The Headmasters. Like the original Generation 1 accessory, the sword can be separated into a small version of the blade for Cerebros to hold.

• Master Sword (Toys"R"Us online exclusive, 2016)

A redeco of the Master Sword that features painted details to resemble the original G1 toy was available as part of a promotional campaign via several Asian branches of Toys"R"Us.

In Hong Kong, it was available for the first 100 customers to purchase Fortress Maximus via the Toys"R"Us website between June 26 and July 1. In Taiwan, the campaign was launched in July; and in Singapore, it ran from July 7 to August 31 and was limited to the top 20 spenders who purchased Fortress Maximus.

• Fortress Maximus (2016-09-24)
  • ID number: LG31
  • Accessories: Headmaster unit, Fortress, 2 leg guns, gun turret, Master Sword

Legends Fortress Maximus also comes with his own Master Sword accessory, and the first one to be a regular release item compared to the releases above. Following the standard of the Legends subline, this Master Sword is decoed to match the weapon's appearances in The Headmasters cartoon; however, its paint applications are not the same as that of the sword from San Diego Comic-Con 2016 release, featuring slightly altered and added paint details.

Merchandise

Transformers Gum

• Sky Base + Powerglide (2012)
  • Accessories: Master Sword

Part of the first wave of the Transformers Gum DX series, the Sky Base is a snap-together model kit of a battle station with some kind of antenna formed by the Master Sword, for use by the Fortress Maximus figure assembled by combining all three kits in the wave. The Master Sword is one piece of plastic removed from a red sprue, with molding and customer-applied stickers providing details. The sword’s handle is too small to be compatible with the 5 mm weapon system. Boooo.

Brave-Goukin

• Excel Suit (2014)

This accessory of the Master Sword data disk from "The Master Sword Is in Danger!!" was to be included with CM's Corporation's Brave-Goukin "Excel Suit" toy. It would have included a metal chain and stand from which to hang it, but the whole set went unreleased following CM's Corporation's bankruptcy.

Notes

• In issue #6 of Dreamwave's ongoing Generation One comic book, Autobase is designed to look like an inverted Master Sword, with its hilt acting as a landing pad for aircraft.
• No, it's not that Master Sword. Stop asking.

Foreign names

• Italian: Master Sodo