Finback

ALLEGIANCE: DECEPTICON
SUB-GROUP(S): PRETENDER
FUNCTION: NAVAL ASSAULT
“Ashes to ashes, rust to rust.”

First Appearance: Transformers 162
Significant Appearances: Transformers 162-163, 206-209, 233-234, 320

A wheezing, wretched, wreck-in-the-making. Rarely keeps to his maintenance schedule — despite high intelligence Finback is very absent-minded as he constantly keeps his thoughts in the dark depths of his sub-aquatic playground. Unlike his comrades, did not see the Pretender process as a means to improve fighting potential, but as a handy storage container for his loose components. As his body is in such a state of disrepair, feels perpetually run-down, tired and irritable. Totally apathetic to the Decepticon cause. It takes a lot of motivation from his comrades (and more often a swift kick to his skidplate by Bugly) to coax him into battle. His only joy is making his enemies worse than he does — if he can be bothered.

Abilities: Finback transforms into a Cybertronian high-speed hovercraft equipped with long range sonar and scanners. He can reach speeds of 190 knots. Armed with a jet-propelled, armour-piercing harpoon gun in both robot and vehicle modes. Pressure-sensitive outer Pretender Shell is based upon Serrasalmus species from the planet Nebulos and enables Finback to dive to a depth of over 10 000 metres. The Shell’s specially reinforced scale armour is composed of symbionts that spontaneously regenerate and repair any damages inflicted upon Finback. Pretender Shell is armed with a metal-corroding stun rifle that engulfs its target in a layer of thick, viscous underwater slime.

Weaknesses: Finback is extremely fuel consumptive. Due to the atrocious state of his energon distribution systems his fuel economy is frighteningly low and he needs near-continuous refuelling. Outside his Shell, Finback is vulnerable to enemy fire and not designed to be submerged. Severe damage to his Shell when underwater would be fatal to his inner robot mode.