Action Masters are a sub-line of the Transformers toy franchise, first released in 1990, with a wave of new releases released in Europe in 1991. It featured Transformers action figures who were unable to transform, but came with transforming partners, weapons or exo-suits. Some of the larger sets came with transforming vehicles or bases. This was the last sub-line release as part of the original Transformers toyline before the launch of Generation 2.

Toy design

Action Masters were non-transformable 3 3/4 inch action figures designed to represent classic and new Transformers characters. Those based on existing characters, were designed to best match their appearance in the popular cartoon series, with the newer characters following the same basis design. Despite the lack of an ability to transform, they had more articulation than many of the Transformers toylines that preceded it, with moveable heads, arms, knees and legs. To compliment the figures, each came with a transformable weapon, or in the case of the larger sets, a transformable vehicle.

The packaging for the carded Action Masters figures departed from the standard style, with the figure placed near the top of the card, rather than the bottom. The rear of the packaging didn't outline what other figures where available in the toyline. The back of the packaging featured a fight scene, along with the figures technical-specification (tech-specs) and a "Power Plan", pointing out special fictional abilities or features in the figure.

European exclusives

After the initial run of Action Masters, the line ended in the US, however continued for another year in the European market. Six new individual figures where released, each with the figure located on the bottom of the packaging card unlike the previous run. Along with this, the run included recolours of some of the existing Actions Masters vehicle sets with new names to represent other characters. Unlike the US run of Action Masters, some of these figures came with transformable exo-suits or motorised vehicles.

The most distinctive difference between the US and European Action Masters line was the release of a special assortment of four Action Masters that could actually transform. These were called "Action Masters Elites".

Fiction

The background fiction for the toys as to why they became Action Masters stated that in an attempt to replace their dwindling supply of energon, the Transforms had come across a super energy known as Nucleon

Nucleon (Transformers)

Nucleon is a power source in the fictional Transformers universe. It was introduced during the beginning of the Action Masters toyline in 1990. The Action Masters were composed of small-scale 3¾" Transformers, a mixture of pre-exisitng characters, who were designed to closely resemble their...

. It had the unseen side-effect of causing any Transformer who took it to lose their ability to transform. To compensate, the Autobots and Decepticons developed weapons and vehicles that were able to transform.

In the original Transformers Marvel

Marvel Comics

Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...

 comic, the Autobots had come across Nucleon on an alien world. Due to the unpredictable side-effects of Nucleon Optimus Prime prohibited the use of it. Grimlock later flaunted this ban testing it on himself and using it to revive his comrades. Whilst it had the desired effect and made them more powerful, it caused them to lose their ability to transform. In the Generation 2 Transformers comic, those Autobots who had taken Nucleon could once again transform. This contradiction was explained in the 1991 Transformers annual text story "Another Time and Place", which concluded with the discovery of a new batch of Nucleon which restored the transforming ability of those who took it.

Autobots

Action Masters (1990)

• Blaster (Transformers)
  Blaster (Transformers)
  Blaster is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers television and comic series based on the popular toy line produced by Takara Tomy and Hasbro. Due to trademark reasons, he is sometimes called Autobot Blaster...
  
  . Blaster's speciality is communications. He possesses a Flight Pack that can transform into a signal-jamming, electro-scrambler gun.
• Bumblebee
  Bumblebee (Transformers)
  Bumblebee is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. In most incarnations, Bumblebee is a small, yellow Autobot with the altmode of a compact car.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
  
  . Bumblebee's function is espionage. He is equipped with a Heli-Pack which can transform into a high-powered air-rifle.
• Grimlock
  Grimlock
  Grimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...
  
  . Commander of the Dinobots, Grimlock possesses an Anti-Tank Cannon which transforms into a long-range mortar launcher.
• Inferno
  Inferno (Transformers)
  Inferno is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. Despite having different alternate modes, the character name has been most associated with the form of a fire engine.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
  
  . Search and rescue is Inferno's function. He is equipped with a Hydro-Pack, which can convert into a high-pressure cannon which fires any type of liquid substance.
• Jackpot. A strategist, Jackpot is partnered with Sights, who transforms into a self-propelled photon cannon.
• Jazz
  Jazz (Transformers)
  Jazz is the name of a fictional character from the various Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a music loving robot and talks with a slang accent. He is also a good friend of Optimus Prime's...
  
  . Serves as part of the Autobots special operations. Jazz is partnered with Turbo Board, who transforms from a rocket-powered skateboard into a destabilizer electromagnetizer gun.
• Kick-Off. A security expert, Kick-Off is equipped with a Turbo Pack, which transforms into a solar-powered flamethrower.
• Mainframe. A systems analyst, Mainframe is partnered with Push-Buttom who transforms into a proton rifle.

European exclusive Action Masters (1991)

• Circuit. Circuit serves as a messenger, and drives a race-car, which transformers into an exo-suit armed with a gatling machine gun. The figure itself is a recolour of Action Masters Axer.
• Power Flash with Road Rocket. An infantry soldier, Power Flash is partnered with Road Rocket, who can combine with him to form an overhead missile launching system. P
• Rumbler with 4WD All-Terrain Vehicle. Functioning as front-line defense, Rumbler drives a 4 whell-drive all-terrain vehicle which transforms into exo-suit armour.
• Sideswipe with Vanguard. An Autobot warrior, Sideswipe has a mobile-armoured partner called Vanguard who transforms from a double barrelled tank into an back-mounted body-suit.
• Tracks
  Tracks (Transformers)
  Tracks is a character in the Transformers Universes. The name is now too generic to license in recent times; so the toys creator, Hasbro had to add a "modifier" - a prefix to the name in order to use it on their product, in this case the name became "Autobot Tracks" or "Turbo...
  
   with Basher. Tracks is an Autobot warrior. He is partnered with Basher, an armoured vehicle that combines with Tracks to form an interactive bodysuit with an intelligent weapons system.

European exclusive Action Masters Elites (1991)

• Omega Spreem
  Omega Supreme
  Omega Supreme is the name of a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. He is always an Autobot and is often depicted as a gigantic transformer with vast strength and/or overwhelming firepower.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
  
  . Functioning as a defense base, Omega Spreem can transform into a laser tank with rotating cannon unit.
• Windmill . Windmill serves as air defense, being able to transform into a high-impact, counter-strike helicopter.

Decepticons

Action Masters (1990)

• Axer with Off-Road Cycle. Axer is a bounty hunter. His off-road cycle transforms into a dual photon cannon battle station.
• Banzai-Tron with Razor-Sharp. Banzai-Tron is a martial arts warrior. His partner Razor-Sharp transforms from a crab to a semi-automatic rifle.
• Devastator
  Devastator (Transformers)
  Devastator is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. For legal-political reasons, Hasbro now adds a modifier to the character's name on newer toy packages, such as Constructicon Devastator....
  
   with Scorpulator. Devastator is a Decepticon warrior, with his partner Scorpulator transforming from a scorpion into an acid spray gun.
• Gutcruncher with Stratotronic Jet. Gutcruncher provides air-to-ground support for the Decepticons. His Stratotronic Jet can transform into a battle-station, and can also includes a surveillance drone and one-man battle tank.
• Krok with Gatoraider. Krok is a Decepticon foot soldier. His parnet Gatoraider transforms from an alligator into a concussion cannon.
• Megatron with Neutron-Fusion Tank. Megatron is the leader of the Decepticons. His Neutron-Fusion Tank transforms into ground-to-air, wire-guided missile launcher, and search and destroy jet drone.
• Shockwave
  Shockwave (Transformers)
  Shockwave is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series. Throughout his incarnations, he is usually distinguished by a laser cannon in lieu of one of his hands and his distinctive face, which is featureless save a single robotic eye...
  
   with Fistfight. Shockwave's serves as the Decepticons military operations commander. He is partnered with a droid called Fistfight who transforms into a lightning rifle.
• Soundwave
  Soundwave (Transformers)
  Soundwave is the name of several characters in the various series Transformers series. His most famous disguise is that of a microcassette recorder and has an iconic voice done by a vocoder.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
  
   with Wingthing. Soundwave's function is communications. His parnter Wingthing transforms into a concussion cannon.
• Starscream
  Starscream (Transformers)
  Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...
  
   with Turbo Jet. Starscream's role is ground-assault, with his Turbo Jet transforming into an air-powered battle chariot.
• Treadshot with Catgut. Treadshot is a gunslinger. His partner Catgut transforms froma four-legged beast into fusion-powered particle blaster with pulse demagnetiser attachment.

European exclusive Action Masters (1991)

• Bombshell
  Insecticons
  Insecticons is the name given to a sub-group of fictional characters in the Transformers Universes, referred to as Insectrons in the Japanese version. The name was also used for several fictional characters in the Transformers Universes...
  
   with Needler. Bombshells speciality is psychological warfare, his partner Needler transforms from a stag-beetle into an exo-suit.
• Charger with Fire Beast. Charger's function is that of flame-thrower. His partner Fire Beast transforms from a single-horned creature into an exo-suit.
• Slicer. Slicer is a "massive assault specialist", who possesses an assault vehicle which transforms into exo-suit armour. Slicer is a repaint of Acton Masters Wheeljack.
• Take-Off with Screech. Take-Off's role is aerial recon. His winged partner Screech transforms into a exo-suit, allowing Take-Off to fly.
• Thundercracker
  Thundercracker
  Thundercracker is the name given to multiple fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Thundercracker is almost always depicted as a blue color Decepticon who turns into a jet fighter.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
  
  . A warrior, Thundercracker pilots a plane which transforms into exo-suit armour. The Thundercracker figure itself is a repaint of Action Masters Starscream.

European exclusive Action Masters Elites (1991)

• Double Punch. Double Punch's function is that of a desert vanguard, and can transform into a dual-clawed robotic scorpion.
• Turbo Master. An aerial marauder, Turbo Master transforms into a dual propeller vertical take-off plane. Not to be confused with the Transformers toy sub-line known as the Turbomasters.