Transformers:  Boss Guide
Version 1.0

This Guide is meant as a look into how I handled the bosses in the game.  In 
this guide I will offer advice on which Minicons to use during your Battle, 
Strategies for Fighting the Battles, and which Minicons NOT to miss.  Warning 
to those who haven't played the game:  This Guide will more than likely include 
spoilers, so read no further if that concerns you.  This guide is based solely 
on my most recent playthroughs which were both on Recruit Difficulty.  I have 
heard that on different difficulty levels Minicons positions change, and as 
such is the case the Minicon locations that I provide may not be accurate for 
higher Difficulties.  Maybe in the future I'll play through the harder 
difficulty levels and update the guide accordingly.  Also, this guide is NOT 
intended to be a comprehensive Minicon collection guide.  For crying out loud, 
the game gives you a Minicon on the last level that helps you find them.  If 
you can't use Shepherd and find them yourself, then you are out of luck.  

Feel free, however, to e-mail me with questions/concerns at 
Brother_Maynard@hotmail.com.  Like I said, I won't tell you where all the 
Minicons/Datacons are, but in this guide I will let you know about the Minicons 
that I feel that you shouldn't miss.

Some short hand that I may use during this guide:
Blaster - refers to whichever Minicon is equipped in the R1 slot
Primary - refers to whichever Minicon is equipped in the R2 slot
Jumpcon - refers to whichever Minicon is equipped in the L1 slot
Secondary - refers to whichever Minicon is equipped in the L2 slot
Transformer Jump - A trick where you hit the transform button at the apex of 
your jump, and then transform back immediately.  This will take you several 
tries to time perfectly, and then it's still a matter of chance as to whether 
or not it works.  This allows you to gain access to some areas where you should 
need Highjump to reach, so it's worth the time spent.  

And now, for the legal stuff:
This Guide may not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal, 
private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed 
publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web 
site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation 
of copyright.
All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their 
respective trademark and copyright holders.

Without any further ado:  The guide. . .

Level 1: Amazon
Level 2: Antarctica
Level 3: Deep Amazon
Level 4: Mid-Atlantic
Level 5: Alaska/Starship
Level 6: Pacific Island
Level 7: Cybertron
Final Remarks

Level 1: Amazon
Minicons not to miss:  
Pressurepoint:  After you cross the bridge and approach the temple, instead of 
going right and heading to the warpgate, head left off into the forest.  As you 
walk along the bank of the river you'll see a Minicon light.  Most people don't 
put much store in Melee attacks, but I personally use them all the time against 
shielded foes that you encounter later in the game.

Firefight:  This particular Minicon can't be attained until you get Slipstream 
on the Mid-Atlantic mission.  Return to the Mountain Ruin warpgate (at the top 
of the stage) and take off.  Veer to the right and in a clearing you'll see a 
Minicon glow.  This isn't my favorite blaster, but it's very nice to have so 
you can use it to get the best Energon boost.  

Hailstorm:  This Minicon also can't be attained until you get Slipstream.  
Again take off from the Mountain Ruin warpgate.  This Minicon is straight ahead 
on the Plateau, very easy to spot, however it's guarded by a heavy unit.  I 
just got Hailstorm and got out of there, and then went and grabbed Firefight.  

Boss:  Heavy Unit
Suggested Autobot: This one doesn't matter as much, use whoever you're most 
comfortable with.
Suggested Minicon Loadout:
R1: Blaster (You haven't found anything else yet)
R2: Lockon (Red Homing Missile)
L1: Safeguard (Red Armor)
L2: Deflector (Yellow Energy Shield)

Suggested Strategy:
This one isn't too difficult.  If you used the suggested load out you'll have 
both armor and the highest possible Energon boost for this early in the game.  
Now when the battle starts just put up your deflector shield and unload your 
missiles into it while avoiding the missiles he fires at you.  Don't get close 
and engage him in Melee combat as he will just stomp on the ground and send you 
flying.  Once Lockon's energy is depleted jump down a level and duck around the 
corner, just remember to deactivate Deflector if he isn't already out of 
energy.  The Heavy Unit won't be able to hit you and will chase after you, but 
by the time he catches up to you Lockon and Deflector should be refilled.  Then 
just do the same thing as before, only move up a level this time.  Repeat this 
until he's dead, it shouldn't take long.  

Level 2: Antarctica
Minicons not to miss:
Buildup:  Buildup is located in one of the many buildings at the research 
center.  I suggest taking Flashbang (Green Cluster Missile) if you found him in 
the previous level, as he is better at building destruction than Lockon.  Now 
make sure you enter this from the rear of the facility, because if you enter 
from the front you will initiate the battle with Boss.  This Minicon will 
slowly regenerate your health, in my opinion, the most useful Minicon in the 
game.

Lookout:  Lookout is located on the deck of the ship.  It's right next to a 
warpgate so you really can't miss it.  This Minicon is a Sniper Rifle, very 
useful for upcoming missions.  Not useful against the Majority of bosses 
though.  When using it a Red Circle will appear in your sights when you are on 
the "kill spot".  One shot there and you will drop whatever Decepticlone you 
happen to be targeting.  Note:  Spidertanks have NO kill spot that I have been 
able to discover, so you might want to leave this at home for this mission. 

Sparkjump:  Sparkjump is located in the Hangar area of the research center; 
it's the only Minicon there visible without destroying a building.  If you 
enter from the back it's easy to get both Sparkjump and Buildup without 
triggering the Boss battle.  If you do trigger the battle on accident, as soon 
as it autosaves go to your pause menu and quit out.  When you load your save 
file up again you'll be in Autobot HQ and just use the warpgate to go back to 
the research center and be more careful this time.  Sparkjump isn't that great 
of a blaster, but it's much better than your standard issue blaster.  

Boss: Starscream
Suggested Autobot: I would suggest either Optimus or Red Alert, as they are 
more suited to this battle than Hot Shot.
Suggested Minicon Loadout:
R1: Sparkjump (Purple Arc Blaster)
R2: Flashbang (Green Cluster Rockets) or Lockon (Red Homing Missile)
L1: Buildup (Green Repair) or Safeguard (Red Armor)
L2: Deflector (Yellow Energy Shield)

Suggested Strategy:
With Buildup and Flashbang equipped you have the Green Energon boost to your 
health.  Granted, it's the worst bonus of all the colors, but the other colors 
don't repair your health.  Alternately you can use Lockon and Safeguard to give 
you the Red Energon boost if you would rather have the higher hit points and 
armor.  Starscream starts the battle by rushing you and using Melee attacks.  I 
countered this by backing and sidestepping, while targeting him with my 
blaster.  You want to make sure that when your rockets hit him they count, so 
try to hit him while he's swinging his sword, not while he's standing still or 
he'll just block it.  After a few attempts to cut you down he'll transform and 
take off.  Right when he transforms is one of the best times to nail him with 
your rockets.  If you can do enough damage you'll knock him down before he even 
has a chance to take off and he'll be lying on the ground for a little while.  
While he is prone make sure you give him everything you got since he can't move 
and can't block.  If he managed to take off and fly around don't fret.  Wait 
till he swings back and starts firing at you, then put up your shield, use your 
blaster, and avoid his rockets.  If you have a chance to, hit him with your own 
rockets.  After you do enough damage to him in Jet Mode, he'll fall to the 
ground.  Then the cycle starts all over again.  The most important thing to do 
in this battle is keep Starscream in your sights. . .if he gets behind you 
while in Jet Mode he can inflict some pretty nasty damage.  

Level 3: Deep Amazon
Minicons not to miss:
Skirmish: Not easy to miss this one, it's located in the valley where you are 
led to from the initial warpgate.  However, this is a good blaster, and will 
help with your Minicon loadout for this level's Boss.  

Rangefinder: Found this one in the temple.  Not useful for this level, but will 
prove very useful later when coupled with Lookout.  

Airburst: Last time I found this one at the top of the temple, but the time 
before I thought I found it in the clearing to the left of the temple.  If you 
can find it before fighting the boss for this level it does help.  This Minicon 
is a necessity before moving on to the next level so if you have to come back 
for it, do so.  

Kickback: Not really a necessity to grab this one, but if you do you can 
increase your Max Energon with the right Loadout for the boss.  Note: This only 
applies if you are using Optimus Prime, as the others will lack the Minicon 
capacity to carry Kickback plus other Minicons.  It's located on the far right 
of the temple, in another village much like where Skirmish was found.

Boss: Cyclonus
Suggested Autobot: I would actually suggest Hot Shot for this one as his speed 
will be very useful, Red Alert also would fit the strategy I have laid out 
here.  However, Optimus Prime lacks the speed in vehicle mode to make him an 
optimal character but at the same time can equip more Minicons.  Ultimately the 
choice is up to you.
Suggested Loadout:
R1: Skirmish (Red Heavy Blaster) or Sparkjump (Purple Arc Blaster)
R2: Lockon (Red Homing Missile) or Airburst (Purple Flak Cannon)
L1: Buildup (Green Repair)
L2: Deflector (Yellow Energy Shield) or Kickback (Green Reflection Shield)

Suggested Strategy: You begin the battle at the top of the temple; however it 
doesn't remain there very long.  If Cyclonus closes with you, he will grab you 
and more than likely you will be hurled from the top of the temple down to the 
riverbed.  The option that I prefer to being hurled off the temple is to just 
jump off myself.  You can either jump down by stages, or you can just jump 
straight to the riverbed.  (Note: if you are falling a long way, transform.  
When you land you will take little to no damage from the fall.) Either way you 
need to end up in the riverbed.  Now here's where it gets easy, when Cyclonus 
comes down put up your shield and fire your Primary and Blaster until one of 
your Minicon's energy is depleted, then Transform and drive away as fast as you 
can.  Cyclonus's cannons can't hit you while you are underwater, and if you're 
driving fast enough his missiles will hardly ever hit you.  As soon as your 
Minicons have recovered their energy, transform, put up your shields and begin 
again.  If you got lucky and found Airburst before the battle every time you 
shoot Cyclonus with it he will be knocked out of the air, which will make the 
battle even easier.  

Level 4: Mid-Atlantic
Minicons not to miss:
Slipstream: The only Minicon in this level and will be impossible to miss.  I 
suggest that as soon as you get this Minicon you go back and get Firefight from 
'Level 1: Amazon' so as to get the yellow Minicon bonus.  

Boss: Tidal Wave
Suggested Autobot: I favor Optimus on this one, just because he's Optimus.  
Seriously though, any of the Autobots work for this particular battle.
Suggested Loadout:
R1: Firefight (Yellow Heavy Blaster)
R2: Lookout (Green Sniper Rifle)
L1: Slipstream (Yellow Glider)
L2: Rangefinder (Green Range Enhancer)

Suggested Strategy:
Now, you want to make sure that this is your Loadout prior to fighting Tidal 
Wave.  *SPOILER ALERT* The boat you are attempting to sabotage is actually the 
boss of the stage, Tidal Wave.  The last chance you have to change your Loadout 
is the Warpgate right before the bridge.  I suggest you change it then, even 
though you will still have a few enemies to face.  If you fail to change it at 
that point, you could probably get away with the same trick as the Starscream 
fight. *END SPOILER* The first thing you do is get Tidal Wave's head in your 
sights, as it is the only vulnerable part of his body.  Yes, I'm aware that you 
can target and destroy the turrets on his torso, but why would you want to take 
the extra time?  If he starts to launch his rockets before you have a shot at 
his head, however, run.  This battle is all about know when to stay and fight 
and when to run away.  The only weapon I really used at all during this battle 
was the sniper rifle, I never even used Firefight, I just had him along for the 
yellow Energon bonus.  If Tidal Wave ever gets too close, just glide to the 
next Island.  Just an observation, but I never had a chance to shoot him on the 
island where the 2nd warpgate was, it just took to long to climb up and get in 
range.  Just make sure that you never stay in his range for too long and this 
battle will be a cinch.  

Level 5: Alaska/Starship
Note: These are actually two separate locations, but Alaska has no boss and the 
Starship has no Minicons I consider essential or hard to find.  

Minicons not to miss:
Aurora:  This one's pretty easy to find, but it's extremely useful.  It's found 
at the top of the mountain after you exit the cave, right by the warpgate.  I 
find the ribbon beams extremely useful, because if you use continuous fire with 
them, once you hit a target the beam stays there no matter where you point your 
gun.  This makes avoiding missiles, grenades, and angry jumping command units a 
lot easier.  It also allows you to use your primary and blaster at the same 
time at two different targets.  I like to use it on heavy units, I lock it on 
them then I go around the corner until they die and there is nothing they can 
do about it, except run away (which they won't).  

Highjump: You can't miss this one either; it's in the very first room in the 
cave that's in the mountain.  You need this one to get around the level, and if 
you ever go back to other levels it helps get a few, but most of those can be 
gotten via Transformer Jump.  

Boss: Starscream (again)
Suggested Autobot: Optimus (Red Alert would probably work as well, but I prefer 
the added firepower and Minicon capacity)
Suggested Loadout:
R1: Aurora (Blue Ribbon Beam)
R2: Hailstorm (Blue Cluster Rockets) or Flashbang (Green Cluster Rockets)
L1: Buildup (Green Repair)
L2: Deflector (Yellow Energy Shield) or Kickback (Green Reflection Shield)

Suggested Strategy:  This incarnation of Starscream is basically the same, with 
one slight difference.  He still comes at you and tries to slap you with his 
sword, and he'll still fly off and come back and bomb you.  However, when he 
transforms he sometimes sits and powers up a heavy cannon that will hurt 
regardless of what shield you have on.  However, this is easily countered.  
Just hit him with one volley from Hailstorm and he falls right down.  He 
sometimes may dodge the first volley, so you may have to use both volleys from 
it just to knock him down.  Plus this time you have the shoot it and forget it 
Aurora Ribbon Beam, so you can concentrate even more on dodging his Melee 
attacks than before.  This one shouldn't take you long, but you might have to 
try a few times, as it is a little more difficult than the original battle with 
him was.  

Level 6: Pacific Island
Minicons not to miss:
Corona:  This is the green big brother of Aurora, and IMO, much better.  This 
one is fairly easy to find, from the first warpgate, head forward and to your 
right, just watch out for the lasers, don't let the lock on to you.  
Shepherd:  This Minicon gives you a "Minicon/Datacon-sensitve vision".  This 
Minicon is extremely useful if you ever want to get all the Minicons/Datacons.  
You can't miss this one, after your 3rd island hop, HQ calls and briefs you on 
a village. You should be able to see the island that it sits on from there, 
just glide down to it and pick it up.  

Fullspeed:  This Minicon is extremely useful in the upcoming boss battle, and 
it will help you get a few Minicons, although I personally got ALL the 
Minicons/Datacons without it, but it took more time than was necessary.  This 
one is located right after the dry riverbed warpgate, glide over to the next 
stop, and bear to your right and you'll find Fullspeed.  

Boss: Megatron
Suggested Autobot: At this point in the game you need Optimus to take full 
advantage of the Minicons you've collected so far.
Suggested Loadout:
R1: Corona (Green Ribbon Beam)
R2: Fullspeed (Yellow Dash)
L1: Buildup (Green Repair)
L2: Deflector (Yellow Energy Shield)

Suggested Strategy:  First of all, you have to jump down from the top of the 
Volcano, and that usually hurts, a lot.  However, if you transform in mid-jump 
and land on the platform (not in the lava) you take almost no damage.  If you 
forget to transform or miss the platform, don't worry, that's why you have 
buildup equipped.  Just sit right in front of the stairs up to the platform and 
let buildup restore you to full health before you begin the battle.  When the 
battle begins Megatron very slowly marches around the platform, just hold down 
fire on your blaster at Megatron and run. . .once the blaster hits him it 
automatically hits him until you break the beam. Next he starts running at you 
firing annoying little blasters.  Put up Deflector and keep running, use the 
dash when he gets close then turn and re-acquire your blaster lock and run 
again. If he catches you he is going to whip you around like a little toy, and 
it hurts.  Sometimes during this part he stops and begins to charge his 
blaster.  When that happens, turn off Deflector, jump to avoid the charged up 
blasts, and keep you blaster firing at him.  If at any point your health is in 
danger, run away and hide underneath the platform, there is one rock that's 
directly underneath the platform, and Megatron's missiles can't hit you. 
Buildup will refill your health slowly while Megatron just sits and spins up 
top.  I have heard that on Commander difficulty Megatron has his own buildup 
Minicon, so use this strategy at your own discretion.  This is the most 
difficult battle IMO in the entire game, so good luck.  

Level 7: Cybertron
Note: This level appears only after you have collected a set amount of Minicons 
based on the level of difficulty you are playing.  I believe it is 30 Minicons 
for Recruit.  
Minicons not to miss: No Minicons on Cybertron, all the Minicons are found on 
Planet Earth

Boss: Unicron
Suggested Autobot: It doesn't make any difference.  I prefer Optimus; just 
because playing as Optimus just makes the game feel right.
Suggested Loadout:
You are given the loadout of the "Ultimate Minicons", and are now invulnerable, 
but Cybertron is not, so you must save Cybertron.

Suggested Strategy:  First of all, make sure that you are familiar with gliding 
before doing this.  It doesn't completely prepare you for flying you'll be 
doing on this mission, but it helps.  Next, you know that you have a boost, but 
most people forget that they have a brake as well.  As Unicron circles the 
planet he doubles back sometimes, and using the brake helps to keep him in your 
sights.  Also, when you approach his mouth, you might want to use the brake, so 
that you don't collide with him and get sent flying.  Also, if you can see that 
you aren't going to be able to get into his mouth in time, rather than charging 
in there, use your brakes and hold up and wait for your next shot.  You don't 
get damaged from it, but it makes it easier to follow him and make sure that 
you stop him next time.  One last thing, when you are inside Unicron, make sure 
that your sights turn Red before firing your Matrix Blaster.  

Final Remarks:
Well, that does it for my guide to the Bosses of Transformers.  Here is what I 
ended the game with the last time I played, which I just tried to get through 
the game as quickly as possible.
Name - Color and Description. Power level where found
Blasters:
Aftershock - Green Heavy Blaster. xxxx Starship
Corona - Green Ribbon Beam. xxxx Pacific Island
Aurora - Blue Ribbon Beam. xx Alaska
Skirmish - Red Heavy Blaster. x Deep Amazon
Sparkjump - Purple Arc Blaster. xx Antarctica
Firefight - Yellow Heavy Blaster. xx Amazon

Primary:
Flashbang - Green Cluster Rockets. xx Amazon
Knockdown - Green EMP Blast. xxxx Deep Amazon
Lookout - Green Sniper Rifle. xxxx Antarctica
Pressurepoint - Green Melee Enhancer. x Amazon
Failsafe - Green Heavy Homing Missiles. xxxx Pacific Island
Hailstorm - Blue Cluster Rockets. xxxx Amazon
Claymore - Blue Proximity Mines. x Amazon
Slapshot - Red Grenade Launcher. xx Antarctica
Lockon - Red Homing Missile. xx Amazon
Highgear - Red Dash. x Antarctica
Airburst - Purple Flak Cannon. xx Deep Amazon
Watchdog - Purple Limpet Mines. xx Antarctica
Dischord - Purple Scrambler Blast. xx Alaska
Fullspeed - Yellow Super Dash. xx Pacific Island

Jumpcon:
Bulletproof - Green Heavy Armor. xx Alaska
Buildup - Green Repair. xx Antarctica
Highjump - Blue Boost Jump. x Alaska
Safeguard - Red Armor. x Amazon
Slipstream - Yellow Glide. x Mid-Atlantic

Secondary: (duplicates not written)
Kickback - Green Reflection Shield. xxxx Deep Amazon
Hawkeye - Blue Energon Sensor. x Antarctica
Shepherd - Purple Minicon/Datacon Sensor. xx Pacific Island
Deflector - Yellow Energy Shield. xx Amazon
The Yellow team gives you the greatest single bonus for Energon, however, if 
you combine it with another team (2 yellow and 2 of another color) it further 
boosts your Energon.  Here are the teams in order of their Energon boosts, from 
least to greatest:
Green
Blue
Red
Purple
Yellow

Credits:
The guide presented here is completely made by me, Jon Franson.  However, if 
you e-mail me concerning things herein, and I use your idea to make an 
improvement in this guide you will receive credit. 

Thanks and Congratulations to Atari, Melbourne House, and Hasbro for making 
such a great game.  

-fin-