TRANSFORMERS: THE BASICS on SHADOW STRIKER

This week Obscure Characters Month looks at a 'bot who, just recently, suddenly went from an obscure convention exclusive to a major cartoon villain, in The Basics on vengeful Decepticon SHADOW STRIKER... and as a bonus, her Autobot sister, ROULETTE!
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Background music: Aitech Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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End card music: "Tech Live" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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[@ChrisMcFeely]

Hey folks! I wouldn't normally do it this long after releasing a video, but I just *HAD* to update this week's episode after I discovered a very cool fact that I'd left out of my original version, that brings the whole thing full circle! This is, uh, attempt #3, after the first updated video glitched and cut the end off. Sorry to lose everyone's comments from the previous versions, but do please leave a new one, y'know, for the algorithm!

[@mikeddh2018]

Ok cool. I thought that KZbin had removed the 1st two for some reason.

[@Zo1dus]

Oh, okay. I was confused when I got the notification because of your update a few minutes ago

[@coatedpikachu8816]

mayhaps the algorithm will bless you this time

[@drakulta4925]

@@Zo1dus me too

[@drxshock6957]

Oh dear

[@e102gamma6]

Fun fact: Shadow Striker is the only decepticon from Season 1 of transformers cyberverse to survive until the end of the series.

[@zixise]

That show has quite the body count....

[@wolfgang6442]

@@zixise fr tho

[@BoisegangGaming]

@@zixise "Cyberverse is a children's show" Cyberverse: *Oh hey look at that it's a distinct lack of dead bodies in this scene. Let's fix that."*

[@waynelindsay967]

@@zixise ya even for "Younger audience"

[@comiqueromosses9132]

@@zixise Of all the TF shows that are out there i didn't expect to see 5 major characters actually DIE at the beginning of season 3 from this one, like that must be a record in this franchise (Edit: well, 4 major characters and Drift)

[@ss_photography42]

Bumblebee is now developing his OWN ROGUES GALLERY. A Sinister Six clone of his Decepticon rivals is surely underway.

[@pedrorosa3300]

I really hope barricade return.

[@pedrorosa3300]

@Jesse Mathis what about a protect bots seris?

[@elijahblechman8633]

Who'd be in it? >barricade >wasp >shadow striker Who else?

[@isaandreso215]

@@elijahblechman8633 Stinger and maybe Bugbite...? Edit: So I would preffer Barricade, Waspinator (formerly known as Wasp), Shadow Striker, Stinger, Shatter and Dropkick

[@EricTheKartoonKing]

@@elijahblechman8633 Dropkick and Shatter!

[@shadowmarauder6033]

What I love most about Cyberverse Shadowstriker is that she never tries to change her body after the accident and accepts it, a really good message even if unintentional.

[@natek4488]

Maybe Ratchet could've fixed her, better than Shockwave.

[@tannerprice2018]

Nice to see how ShadowStriker evolved from an obscure lesser-known to cartoon stardom. Maybe someday we’ll see the same outcome for Roulette, have her show up in a starring role for a future TF cartoon like her sister.

[@ShinGallon]

I'd never heard of her before Cyberverse, but she quickly became one of my favorites. That show is criminally underappreciated.

[@windblade1205]

Agreed Transformers cyberverse is underestimate and I love Shadow Striker she's one of my favourite Decepticon characters because her personality is very cool and passion.

[@thesymbiotenation.4552]

@@windblade1205 it was fine... just that... compared to shows like Animated, Prime and Armada.. it's kinda Meh, but by itself it's a fun time

[@Depth217]

“Monster Planet Unicron” is like McFeely’s “Sora, Donald, and Goofy” from Kingdom Hearts and I mean that in an endearing way.

[@omega-rattrap]

Either that or “offlined by a cosmically powered Starscream.”

[@robwilson4975]

When you see the monster planet Unicron approaching like some vast, predatory bird, you’ll realize this joke is surplus to requirements and it’s over-finished

[@sithspartan6248]

Or “Japanese exclusive sequel series, The Headmasters.”

[@babysinclairfan]

"In the pages of IDW publishing"

[@tartatovsky]

Or "Dia-clone"

[@EmmanuelMarin07]

6:28 *Precious, oh precious*

[@TheBloodGod8]

Cool idea to have a Transformer show up as some kind of chimera made from similar parts of other Transformers. And being a Decepticon, it made sense that Shockwave made her look how she does.

[@FlamesofJagger]

I think it was also part of her punishment from Megatron for losing Optimus Prime. Shockwave could have rebuilt her normally, but they wanted her to remember her failure.

[@Monody512]

I said it on the previous version of this video, but I think it would be interesting to see her meet Lockdown, since both of them are made of mismatched parts, the difference being Lockdown chose to be that way.

[@FlamesofJagger]

@@Monody512 they did meet in cyberverse. Lockdown was just a Decepticon footsoldier along with Clobber. I think she order both of them around in one episode

[@apex2000]

G1 actually tried it once before. "Autobot Spike"

[@Renkencen]

I originally thought she was a new character created for the Cyberverse show! Also shame you didn't go into detail in Cyberverse as when she and Soundwave loyality to Megatron begin to weaver, she let Bumblee and co go when they retrieved Windblade coma body! Also I think by the time the show ended, she forgave Bumblebee at the scene when he and Hot Rod were about to be excucuted by her and the Tarn army!

[@artist_des3ns1ty]

@@Ecl1ps0_ It was the sweetest thing I ever seen.

[@sivanlevi3867]

Shadow Striker's Frankenstein-like transformation in Cyberverse is similar to the episode Autobot Spike from G1, when Spike was put into a coma and had to be saved by transferring his consciousness into a Cybertronian body of mismatched spare parts.

[@juniper3955]

The third time watching this episode for the sake of a small snippet about a mobile game. Incredible.

[@OtakuUnitedStudio]

Her original toy and Roulette's were one of the few examples of a true repaint - they used the same base mold and colors, only differentiated by the paint they used.

[@Retr0Bunn13]

Man I swear to god I fucking love your make videos about Transformers. You give us a lot of facts that us fans never knew about!

[@mikeddh2018]

Her robot form in Cyberverse reminds me of Autobot Spike in G1

[@PushanHalder]

Cyberverse really did justice to the character....thank you for your amazing work on this interesting back story of hers.

[@demihowell5758]

Woo! What's better than a new episode of The Basics? A second re-cut of one! /lh

[@Kylorin235]

Franken Striker and Autobot Spike. A couple literally built for each other!

[@theinitialsa.r.j.6223]

Wasn't expecting a Digimon reference in a transformers video but always happy to see two of my favorite childhood franchises together. Also, rebuilt with the bodies of her fallen comrades. That's real dark. If this was live-action and she was more organic, instead of a cartoon robot, this could be rated R.

[@cobaltprime9467]

Doesn’t get more obscure than convention exclusive characters. I would like to see Roulette come back with Shadow Striker. With a story about how even though they’re enemies, they’re still sisters and have a mutual soft spot for each other. They fight but neither can finish the other, and often they team up when the occasion calls for it. I also wish Cyberverse expanded on her budding friendship with Prowl. But that show was at the mercy of the 10 minute timeframe. Hard to really develop characters. That’s why the multi-part episodes and Season 4 specials were really where the series shined.

[@ShadowWingTronix]

I don't think further versions need to include the Frankenstein idea. Let that one be unique and make other aspects of her character part of her multiversal backstory. I'm not sure how you would have her be rebuilt in every continuity that way. I also like the idea of Shadow Striker and Roulette being on opposite sides, leading to personal conflict on the off chance they run into each other during an operation.

[@JoleneBlake]

It's really interesting that you can trace a line from ROTF Shadow Striker's bio to her characterisation in the cartoon! ...But then again, this is also the series that had Maccadam as a main character based on an offhand joke in a Facebook post, so...

[@Gaia_BentosZX5]

That's Transformers for ya! They needed someone to be the wedge that binds the multiverse together, making the titular Old Oil House a "Point Zero" in the map of ALL Cybertrons. This is the first time that bar has been active on television screens after all!

[@NovaSaber]

Maccadam being one of the Thirteen was mentioned as an in-universe rumor in the Ultimate Guide, published way back when Prima, The Fallen, and Liege Maximo were the only confirmed ones; and there were a few other maybe-but-not-confirmed mentions of the idea between then and Cyberverse. The Facebook mention was just one of several. It was PROBABLY the intent for at least as long as there was any clear plan for the Thirteen at all.

[@JoleneBlake]

@@NovaSaber Well, yes, but not him being Alchemist specifically. I did sponsor the Basics on Maccadam's...

[@williamcrowe2576]

Point of interest; the page you showed from the "Magic of Cybertron" trade paperback (which I did a review of) has Shadow Striker finding the crystalized remains of King Sombra.

[@Double_D__]

I liked that Prowl and Shadow Striker were beginning to become friends during Season 2. You could tell that Shadow Striker appreciated the fact Prowl saw her as an equal and a fellow soldier instead of a freak like the other Decepticons likely treated her. Perhaps if Prowl hadn't died, he and Shadow Striker might have gotten closer and helped negotiate peace with Megatron quicker.

[@Sammytheflaaffyfan]

"Two for the price of one"... Is it those conjoined twins who were part of the wreckers in the UK Comic? Rack n' Ruin I think they were called.

[@m.e.c.hn.e.s.t4757]

Cyberverse Shadow Striker: **exists** Animated Lockdown: ''Finally! A worthy opponent!''

[@zackew-denniss9963]

Remember that episode of Star Trek The Next Generation where the crew kept reliving the same few hours...?

[@anaveragecassetteplayer8033]

I'm excited to see the new thing you added in this version

[@Undrave]

I love when the franchise gives a chance for obscure character to take the forefront in a story. It gets tiring to just see Optimus-Bumblebee-Megatron-Starscream all the time (Can we call them the 'B.O.M.S. squad'? :p )

[@zackarysullivan9019]

I hope Nightbird ends up getting that treatment at one point now that Rise of the Beasts introduced her to a lot of people, including me

[@geeker6350]

Wait a minute- two sisters who are estranged by a civil war and tragic death end up fighting on opposite factions, with one who is extremely proficient in ballistics. Is this a robot version of 'Arcane'?

[@fishpop]

6:54 for the new segment about the Heavy Metal game.

[@ericm.8110]

Cyberverse Shadowstricker after killing Prowl: Noooo. Me: Ehm,you know its war right?

[@witherwraith1226]

Just nice the side by side of her old and new look when she was rebuilt and notice that she has a more bulkier look especially in the upper chest 7:14

[@jeremytung1632]

I appreciate how this is kind of a two for one since you spent a good chunk of time talking about Roulette too.

[@deanawatson1119]

I especially like this video because one, Shadow striker is my favorite decepticon and two, I didn't even know that there was more to her until now which I think is just awesome.❤❤

[@dg4545]

She was actually in the starscream mini arc as one of the bounty hunters in RID 2015. Though HE was a male in that continuity and was called shadowSTRIKE.

[@ChrisMcFeely]

I think you're thinking of Shadelock.

[@EricTheKartoonKing]

That addition was absolutely worthy of updated the video. Well done!

[@lordcheesus1013]

Imagine if TF: Animated had kept going. A Lockdown and Shadow Striker team up episode? Yes, please!

[@medafighterok9059]

I enjoy watching your videos about Transformers and learning more about them. I use to watch the shows as a kid but never could watch them in time. But now I've gotten back into watching the shows and learning more about them and it's awesome! I've almost forgotten how much I loved watching their shows and playing with their toys were.

[@trailbreakertv8918]

From a nobody to leader of the deceptions what a glow up

[@neversword]

I didn't notice her before cyberverse. OK, at my feeling, she has a looking like a sniper, hidden in somewhere and then shoot the enemy. One eye of her tells me that.

[@TheAnimationStationTAS]

Out of curiosity, would you ever consider utilizing the shorts feature to do byte-size episodes for characters and ideas that can't fit into other basics episodes and are too short to be made into their own episode?

[@zcgamerandreacts2762]

Like he did one but I think that was suppose to be video itself before automatically turning into a youtube short after the update.

[@Akuma12366]

Hoping we see Shadow Striker in Legacy and maybe in Generations Selects or even the R.E.D Line we can get the mismatched version of her!

[@Akuma12366]

HA We got her 😤

[@weirdkitty07]

Rhakshi and Rahksi were played by twp characters also, a Cyberverse Striker Thfurst variant, interestingly enough, (and also there is Slipstream who is in it), and the Mindwipe redeco from the Bay verse, around 2009, which was just called Rahkshi.

[@fishpop]

I knew of Roulette & Shadow Striker around the time their BotCon toys came out. They'd mostly faded into my subconscious unless i was remembering Side Burn repaints. A shame no Side Burn repaints came out in the Universe line to go with Red Alert and Inferno.

[@Christian_H3rnand3z]

I always wondered what her name was. Edited: I get some Lockdown vibes from her Cyberverse incarnation.

[@chaosbringer82]

2:30, couldn't resist a chance to mention Digimon could you Chris?

[@Gundamfan1998]

It always gives me whiplash when Digimon is mentioned in these videos, turns out two of my favorite franchises have a lot of crossover

[@AntonioFGagliardiLugo]

Thanks for this awesome videos ;!!! I started as a G1 and BW fan is so hard to keep up with the new shows. I like how this characters have evolved !!!!

[@user-jy3gx3xd9t]

Shadow Striker My Favourite Female Decepticon

[@vitoldwisniewski]

Bah... in my fan fic for Transformers: Robots in Disguise 2001 cartoon, I used SHADOW STRIKER as a rival To Side Burn cause some mistook her for that red car-chasing bot which she clearly hates being called that.

[@deppo436]

I was never expecting a Digimon reference in something of all things like Transformers at all. That is so cool!!

[@sanejingliufan]

I came back after a few years it beings back memories

[@DeamonChocobo]

No way to confirm this but I wouldn't be surprised is whoever was in charge of Cyberverse saw that she was a retool of Side Burn and made her Frankenstein like appearance as an homage to his very asymmetrical design.

[@talljoke]

Nice to see the original plans for Lockdown finally saw the light of day. Even if the reason for the mish-mash parts is different.

[@mitchjones9381]

I JUST scored her new Legacy figure. She's awesome! I anticipate a Sideburn version to come out as well but I'd rather him be in a Hot Rod body with the marksman eye, and blue color scheme but if be happy either way, and if course, great video! I watched it before but didn't comment that time. Thanks again!

[@BenBoyee]

You know, a retool of one of the Junkions from Legacy would be a fantastic way to make a toy version of the fankenstien-esque Shadow Striker

[@sgt.raccoon386]

Hope that Roulette gets some attention in future

[@Mat23]

Just wanted to say I look forward to this every week! *whispers Sunstreaker*

[@TheRealDustinNunn]

We need Masterpiece versions of the Transformers Universe 2003 characters in the works.

[@mecha53107]

Can you do a story on Cog. Maybe help bring light to fans on the fact he has a connection to Fortress Maximus.

[@DarthShadow91]

Something I just realized about Shadow Striker: Her helmet bears an uncanny resemblance to that of Widowmaker from Overwatch!

[@gabrielortiz3811]

So the femcons we got: Sliptream, Blackarachnia/Airachanid, Strika, Nightbird, Shatter, Flamewar and Shadow Striker. That's all I got.

[@MrFedoraFilm]

I hope this purple Cyberverse Shadow Striker returns to the Transformers franchise. Maybe in Legacy, along with her sister Roulette. To look something like this 6:55

[@somerelativleyuninterestin4763]

Said it before but it’ll be a bummer if she doesn’t get a blockier G1 style design. She’s in limbo with the other decepticons like blackout, Strika, Shatter, Lockdown, Dropkick and Lugnut

[@Undrave]

They never even made her a good toy for Cyberverse. Where's her Deluxe toy??

[@wolfgang6442]

@@Undrave ngl most of the cyberverse figures suck

[@Undrave]

@@wolfgang6442 I got a Cyberverse Deluxe Arcee and a Deluxe Soundwave and they're fine. Soundwave has a transforming Laserbeak and I prefer the Cyberverse Arcee to the Earthrise/Kingdom one even if they're both 'babes in a shell'.

[@thesymbiotenation.4552]

@@Undrave Prime Arcee is still our favorite... both Character and Toy

[@Undrave]

@@thesymbiotenation.4552 I already have a good toy of Prime Arcee, but her and Pink Arcee are basically two different character. I also have Iron Factory Pink Assasin who is pretty good.

[@Technodreamer]

Man, I gotta watch Cyberverse.

[@weirdkitty07]

Rahksha, Rhaksi and Night Racer were also fan toys. Night Racer was done as a Botcon exclusive repaint of a minibot Bumble Bee, and some other guy, as a decepticon female. Rahski was a dragon alien. Stepper is Jazzy, another fembot and Jazz's sister, in some fandom. In the fan created series, Alt Transformers MUSH, 2020-2021, we brought these characters into the mutiverse. :) But Night Racer was Botcon 1994 exclusive female decepticon.

[@cryssnail]

Getting Autobot Spike vibes from the salvage version

[@Narutonarutonaruto85]

I was confused when this showed up in my recommendations and wasn't listed as read. Then I noticed how many days ago it was.

[@czarmagnocabuhat1357]

PERFECT CELL AUTOBOTS VS SHADOW STRIKER DECEPTICONS

[@czarmagnocabuhat1357]

PERFECT CELL TSUNAMI AUTOBOTS VS SHADOW STRIKER DECEPTICONS

[@weirdkitty07]

In the MUSH, the Night Racer was played by two different bots, a Transformers Prime Bublebee blue and red and yellow one Stealth mode, and a 2009 color reversed, black whith yellow highlighs Bumblebee stealth mode toy. Both were available in stores. Just look for variants of Bumblebee.

[@Campion1201]

I❤ShadowStriker !!! She is a tough girl who doesn't never ever give up in a fight but is still willing to forgive her enemies . She totally stole the show ! Nu 👌🤘👍

[@partyrock4144]

YAY! Roulette reunion!

[@toystoryfan55]

I wonder if Shadow Striker will get a new toy in Generations

[@javiersantanaaviles5885]

I hope we can get a proper figure of Shadow Striker

[@dungeonsanddragonsbutformo9835]

Why do I keep getting notifications for this I'm not gonna rewatch a whole video for one small update

[@edwardgreene6248]

Another superior effort.

[@notjannet]

thank you for updating it :D

[@muhammadhabibieamiro3639]

Another amazing video

[@fcm3d]

Now I want a Tarn DJD video.

[@alexanderstavroulakis335]

Well, now fans have an excuse to watch this episode again!

[@ndotrogers]

Only one more obscure character left this month and then I will have to resolve myself to waiting another year to get the basics on Sky Garry

[@KeyanCarlile]

Can the original edit of this now be considered as lost media?

[@Im_here170]

It’s all good!!

[@GCJACK83]

Ya know what? It'd be funny, and a somewhat good direction for story purposes, if Shadow Striker and Bumblebee wound up romantically involved given how they begin as rivals and enemies.

[@ToaDrakua]

Bit of a shame Shadow Striker has overshadowed (heh) her sister to such an extent. The two going from being specifically paired off against each other to having so little to do with one another that Roulette can get killed off with little consequence in one story and reduced to what amounts to a generic recolor in another.

[@jackofallclaws6672]

Who do you guys think will be the last one for this year’s Obscure Characters Month? Any guesses? Mine are between Nightbeat, Devcon or Tripredicus. Actually wait, does Nightbeat even count as obscure? I guess he’s a bit of a grey area, since it depends on which side of the franchise you’re on.

[@teab0244]

It’s going to be Fire Chief.

[@jackofallclaws6672]

@@teab0244 Is that a guess…or a spoiler?

[@teab0244]

@@jackofallclaws6672 😉

[@jackofallclaws6672]

@@teab0244 I…really don’t know how to take that answer. Good day.

[@waverod9275]

Rescue Roy or we all riot.

[@littlemisstfc]

Shadowstriker is a QUEEN! 💜🙏🏽😭💜

[@indranilroy4822]

A bit off topic but can the enigma of combination be used to merge primus and unicron

[@jay-quinthunder7967]

👋😳😃 pretty cool nice to see more female Transformers never heard of these two it's like every four days I hear about a new Transformer that been out for years is crazy 👌😉😌👍

[@windblade1205]

😀😃😁

[@cookieninja_1396]

3:18 oh wait so she's the one who blitzwing killed

[@renji90998]

Hope to see a video about Sidways, Demolisher, and Mirage one day.

[@asifchowdhury7978]

Do a basics on the stunticons

[@josevelador4156]

I like to think that barricade is shadow stricker and rulets brother

[@neilhale4529]

Shadow Striker meets up with Knock Out...

[@prismstar438]

The most interesting thing I found in this one is that a convention-exclusive character would share only a slight resemblence in head sculpt and colour scheme with a Digimon with little to no other similarities.

[@andybones752]

i would like to see some basics video's on some of my favorite classics characters, such as Mirage and Windcharger.

[@swolie]

Female Decepticons are my favorite

[@MrDoctorVK]

I get to knew 2003 TF: Universe Shadow Striker. It's such shame that Cyberverse Shadow Striker only toys have been Scout Class and brickish Ultra Class toy, what is the problem that prevents Hasbro to make Warrior Class or CV Deluxe version of Shadow Striker. Now, time to guess who's gonna be the last bot for January's last obscure character, I'm gonna guess Sunstorm.