Slag does not like that he is the quintessentialAutobotTriceratops.

Toys

The Transformers

This... good enough for... Slag!

• Slag (Dinobot,1985/1986/1992)

• Takara ID number:28
• Accessories: "Energo sword", "electron blaster", "rocket pod launcher", 3 rockets
• Known designers:Kōjin Ōno (TakaraTomy)

Released in the second year of theUSTransformers toyline (first year in non-US markets), Slag is aredeco of the TakaraDiaclone "Dinosaur Robo Triceratops" toy, transforming into a roboticTriceratops (obviously). His "rocket pod launcher" sockets into the large circular holes in his shoulders in both robot and dino mode. The Hasbro release of this toy severely weakened the launcher's springsfor safety reasons, while the Takara version kept them at full strength.

Slag is mistransformed in the photo at right: Hisrobot mode legs can be separated further at the hip joints. Speaking of his legs, it seems that he was designed to have fully moving legs (not just at the knee) but this was squared off at the hips. Extremely careful filing can restore this functionality, but well, be careful.

The Canadianvariant of Slag that was released in 1985 features a red helmet, silver face, red fists, red tail support, and white thighs. The red painted torso also appears to be a brighter shade of red than the regular release.^[1] The Canadian version (as well as theanimation model) appears to be based on an early prototype of theTransformers version, which was used for thestock photos on Slag's packaging, though the prototype differs from the Canadian version by also having a redface and chromed horns, which had to be changed to soft red plasticfor safety reasons for the final toy (this applies to both the US and Canadian versions).^[2] Please be aware that there is a more recentknockoff of Slag that appears to be largely based on the prototype, featuring a red helmet, a red face, and chromed horns.^[3]

In Japan, he and the other four Dinobots were offered as mail-away items duringOperation Combination in 1990(!); Slag cost 2300 yen (his original retail price) and twoRobot Points.

Slag underwent quite a few changes fromDiaclone toTransformers. TheDiaclone version had a blue robot torso, head and rocket launcher, white robot upper legs, and silver-chromed sword, missiles and dino-horns. The sword and horns were de-chromed, made from softer material, and blunted for theTransforers release to comply with US safety standards.

• Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Slag at Transformerland.com
• More information on Slag at TFU.info

Generation 2

Me, Slag, no like... green!

• Slag (Dinobot,1992)

• Accessories: "Kinetic sword", "blaster gun"

Part of the very first assortment ofGeneration 2 product released just in time for the 1992 holiday season, Slag's original toy was re-released with minimal changes; an "AUTOBOT" tampograph was added to the back of his left robot-mode thigh, and this release lacks the original toy's missile launcher and missile.

The following year, Slag underwent arunning change, with his silver plastic now cast in either dark green or dark red (Slag's fellow DinobotsGrimlock andSnarl underwent a similar set of color changes). As the green version is far, far more common on the secondary market, plus was the version pictured in Hasbro's 1993Toy Fair catalog, it's a safe bet that the green one came first, and the red version was a late-run refresher that saw little distribution.

• More information onGeneration 2 Slag at TFU.info

Age of Extinction

Ewww...

• Dinobot Slug (Evolution 2-Pack,2014)

• 25 OF 30

Available only atToys"R"Us stores in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia, thisAge of Extinction two-pack features theGenerations DeluxeDinobot Slug toy, with no known differences from the normal retail release, packed with a seemingly unchangedDark of the Moon Mini-ConTriceradon, described as 'Classic' Slug.

Unlike the Strafe Evolution two-pack, which incorrectly depicted the original Generation 1package art of theTechnobotStrafe rather than Slag's fellow DinobotSwoop on the card bubble, the Slug two-pack's packaging correctly depicts G1 Slag.

Transformers (2014)

• Dinobots Generation One 4-pack (Multi-pack,2014)

• Accessories: 2 swords

Available only as part of theHasbro Toy Shopexclusive "Dinobots Generation One 4-pack" that was first made available atSan Diego Comic-Con2014, Slug is a G1-inspired redeco ofAge of Extinction Deluxe Class Slug. He comes packaged withGrimlock,Strafe, andSnarl, and their box unfolds into a diorama of the crashedArk inMount St. Hilary. A similarly-themed toy ofSludge was released via Amazon inAge of Extinction packaging.

• More information on 2014 Slug at TFU.info

Kre-O

• Kreon Class of '85 (Kreon figure set,2015)

• Set number:B5152
• Voted: The Criminal
• Accessories: Small pistol, sword

Kre-O "Slug" (thank you, non-US slang) is a small brick-builtKreon figure, using the 2015-style construction with raised hands and the sturdier "peg-in-peg" torso/waist connection. His bodytampographs are heavily toy-based, but he has a red helmet to match the toy as shown in the original catalog, not the final version released in the US.

He was only available as part of theSan Diego Comic-Con-exclusive "Kreon Class of '85" 30-Kreon set. This set was also sold online throughHasbro Toy Shop after the show.

• More information on Class of 1985 Slug at TFU.info

Platinum Edition

• Dinobots (Multi-pack,2015)

• Accessories: 2 swords

Part of thePlatinum Edition Dinobots 5-pack, "Dinobot Slug" is another redeco ofAge of Extinction Slug, this time retooled to have a more G1-inspired head.

Slug was bundled with Grimlock,Slog, Snarl, and Strafe.

This set was initially released as aToys"R"Us exclusive in Canada in October 2015, followed by Singapore a month later (although it's currently unknown whether it was exclusive to any particular store there or not). Much later, it became available via the Australian Toys"R"Us website (but never found in stores). In the United States, it was initally only available online viaAmazon andBigBadToyStore before being found at discount chain Ross a year after its intial release in Canada.

Power of the Primes

I'm going to Sla-i mean Slug you!

• Dinobot Slug (Deluxe Class,2017)

• TakaraTomy ID number:PP-11
• TakaraTomy release date:June 30,2018
• Accessories: Blaster, Prime Armor/combiner hand, Prime Master gap filler/gun
• Known designers:John Warden (Hasbro),Robby Musso (concept artist),Marcelo Matere (packaging artist)

Power of the Primes Slug is visually simplified from his original G1 design, and can transform into a roboticTriceratops, as well as form a limb forVolcanicus or any otherCombiner Wars-style combiner (or into one ofLegends Godbomber's legs). Like the other Dinobots in this subline, Slug is partially composed of translucent plastic with gold paint on the inside to give him a 'layered' look reminiscent of his original toy. Like all otherPower of the Primes Deluxe Class figures, he comes with Prime Armor with a place for aPrime Master,Enigma, orMatrix core) that can transform into a hand for a combiner. It can be plugged into his back inTriceratops mode, or worn on either his chest or back in robot mode. He also comes with a piece that can fill the gap in the chest armor or be held as a gun.

Despite his colossal footprint in robot mode, Slug has an annoying tendency to be back-heavy, even with his dedicated heel pieces. The peghole on Slug's leg used to attach the combiner feet is alsovery thinly molded and easily broken.Extreme caution should be taken when plugging anything into it or manipulating what may have already been inserted. Should the plastic snap, its tension will be severely reduced and may lead to the combiner hands or feet falling out. In some cases, it may simply not be possible to avoid breaking the peghole aside from not using it. The peghole on the bottom of his foot used for combiner hands is considerably thicker and less prone to breakage however.

Stock photography shows him with a mistransformed beast mode: theTriceratops head/neck is adjustable to have the frill around the head stand up closer to the G1 dinosaur model. This does however mean theTriceratops head does not lock in place in dino mode, it simply rests atop the tabs which would otherwise secure it in place.

While his instructions show his arms pointing toward the combiner torso in arm mode, the slots on the outside of his arms and pegs on his sides suggest they should be pointed backwards and pegged in place.

In China, he was also released along with the other 4 Dinobots as a gift-set, exclusive to Hasbro China's TianMao site.^[4]

This mold was heavily retooled into fellow DinobotSludge.

Generations Selects

• Volcanicus (Gift set, 2021)

• Takara release date:February 27, 2021
• Hasbro ID number:TT-GS11
• Accessories: Rifle

This multi-pack version of Slug is a redeco of hisPower of the Primes figure, but now with an evenmore cartoon-inspired deco, eliminating a lot of black in favor of silver/gray.

He was only available in aGenerations SelectsVolcanicus multi-pack with fellow DinobotsGrimlock,Sludge,Snarl, andSwoop, and a load of new accessories and combiner bits. This set was originally aTakaraTomy Mall exclusive, but was also made available throughHasbro Pulse with a new English-language slipcover over the Takara packaging.

Takara gave this figure thetitle "Dinobot Flame Warrior Slug".^[5]

Slug slug.

• Behold, Galvatron! Unicron Companion Pack (Leader Class, 2022)

Generations Selects "Dinobot Slug" is a non-transforming and immobileminifigure, barely 10mm tall, scaled to interact with the immenseWar for Cybertron Trilogy Unicron figure and its clear display base.

This was one of a set of fourteen minifigures in the "Unicron Companion Pack" that was included with the"reformatting" version of Galvatron. The set wasexclusive toHasbro Pulse.

Little known science fact—the triceratops was green so it could photosynthesise, like a plant.

• G2 Universe Dinobot Snarl / G2 Universe Dinobot Slug (Multi-pack,2025)

• Accessories: Pistol
• Known designers:Evan Brooks (Hasbro),Amy Bence (packaging)^[6]

Released to accompany theAge of the Primes toyline,Generations Selects "G2 Universe Dinobot Slug" is a redeco of hisStudio Series toy (see below) in the forest green colouration of his 90'sGeneration 2 release, the most common color of the three decos he had in that line.

He was only available in a 2-pack with fellow G2 DinobotSnarl. Unlike the contemporaryG2 Universe Grimlock/Wheelie release, Slug's non-transforming partner Daniel Witwicky did not make a return.

Studio Series

Slag say person who took 36 years to give me red face full of beryllium baloney!

• Dinobot Slug & Daniel Witwicky (Leader Class,2021/2023)

• Movie:The Transformers: The Movie
• Hasbro ID number:86-07
• TakaraTomy ID number:SS-71
• TakaraTomy release date:November 27, 2021
• Accessories:Daniel Witwicky, pistol, "Mockery of Justice" backdrop
• Known designers:Evan Brooks (Hasbro),Shogo Hasui (TakaraTomy)^[7],Mario Carreiro,Christina Murphy andAmy Bence (packaging),^[8]Marcelo Matere (packaging artist)

Released to commemorate the 35th anniversary ofThe Transformers: The Movie,Studio Series "Dinobot Slug" is a Leader Class-sized mold accurate to his appearance in the Generation 1 cartoon, though his beast mode features elements of his original toy. He comes with a non-transformingDaniel Witwicky figurine, which can mount his dino mode's back or sit on his robot mode's shoulder, and a cartoon-accurate pistol.

Slug is the second G1-styled Dinobot to receive the Leader Class treatment in theStudio Series line afterGrimlock. Slug towers over most figures in theWar for Cybertron Trilogy toylines, while being a similar height to his teammate Grimlock.

Like the otherStudio Series toys, the interior of the package forms a diorama display for the figure. In this case, it is the Dinobots' famous (ahem)self-invited entrance atHot Rod andKup's execution. The back of Slug's packaging gleefully references the shot in which he squishes theQuintesson Prosecutor beneath a door.

Slug and Daniel were later re-released in 2023.

Although Slug does not include a sword, the 2024Comic Edition redeco ofGrimlock would include three swords, one of which was styled afterGeneration 1 Slag's sword, and is intended to be given to theStudio Series figure.

Legacy

For when you want your violent rudeTriceratops pal to be bite-sized.

• Dinobot Slug (Core Class,2023)

• 2 of 6:Volcanicus
• TakaraTomy ID number:TL-27
• TakaraTomy release date:May 27, 2023
• Accessories: Tail, blaster end/Volcanicus head
• Known designers:Evan Brooks (Hasbro),Shuhei Umezu andShogo Hasui (TakaraTomy)^[9]

Part of the first wave ofLegacy: Evolution Core Class toys, "Dinobot Slug" is a small version of theTriceratops Dinobot, though he is one of the largest core class figures to date. Slug's dinosaur mode tail detaches to become a weapon in robot mode. Slug is also notable in being part of the first Core Class combiner: forming the upper half of the torso for Volcanicus, identical to fellowTriceratopsKakuryu's placement forDinoking. Slug's weapon splits apart to form Volcanicus' head and part of his torso.

Due to how he's designed, Slug isvery top heavy, though this can be somewhat mitigated by using the dino legs as heel spurs. Though neither the stock photography nor the instructions direct you to fan out his backpack for his robot mode, it seems that's the intended transformation, as it emulates the "wings" that are traditionally party of Slug's silhouette, and lets you utilize the figure's waist swivel.

Slug features a misassembly: both of his thighs are swapped. The side with the slight slope and accurate knee details should be facing forward. As the parts are on ball joints, it is fairly easy to fix.

His instructions also feature an error: The steps for transforming him into Volcanicus's upper torso fail to show his arms being rotated so they can peg into the torso. Hence, the final step still shows the rectangular pegs sticking out rather than the5 mm posts.

This mold was also used to makeLegacyKakuryu.

Merchandise

Decoy

• Cybertron Hero Collection 9 (multi-pack,1986)

• Slag (1987)
  • Decoy number:5

The figurine was later brought over toHasbro markets as part of theDecoy promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the cardedThrottlebots,Aerialbots,Protectobots, andTechnobots.

• More information on Decoy Slag at TFU.info

Robot Heroes

• Snarl & Sharkticon (Two-pack, 2008)

• Known designers:Bill Rawley (Hasbro),Marcelo Matere (concept artist)

A tiny, adorably homicidal Slag that came packaged with aSharkticon as part of the "Generation 1 Series" ofUniverse-brandedRobot Heroes. LikeAnimatedSnarl, who was also designed with G1 Slag in mind, theRobot Heroes figure was released using the name of Slag's fellow DinobotSnarl, so Hasbro could release the toy in the United Kingdom ("Slag" is considered an insult there).

• More information onRobot Heroes "Snarl" at TFU.info

The Loyal Subjects

• Slag (2014)

Collect them all! This character article is astub and is missing information on theirtoys & merchandise. You can helpTransformers Wiki byexpanding it.

• Slag (Gamestop exclusive, 2014)

Collect them all! This character article is astub and is missing information on theirtoys & merchandise. You can helpTransformers Wiki byexpanding it.

Transformers Trading Card Game

• Dinobot Slug, Hot-Headed Warrior (2018)
  • Wave 1
  • Rarity:CT
  • Card Number:T17/T40
  • Stars:9

Dinobot Slug, Hot-Headed Warrior is one of forty double-sided character cards available in Wave 1 of theTransformers Trading Card Game.

The artwork for the card is reused from theTransformers Legends mobile game, with Alt-mode line-art byDan Khanna.

• Dinobot Slug, Battering Ram (2019)
  • Wave 2: Rise of the Combiners
  • Rarity:RT
  • Card Number:T19/T46
  • Stars:8

Dinobot Slug, Battering Ram was released as part of theTransformers Trading Card Game Wave 2: Rise of the Combiners. Like all other members ofcombiner teams released in the set, this version of Slug is a folding card, with the Bot and Alt modes being depicted when the card is folded in half, and a holofoil portion of the the combined mode depicted when unfolded. The reverse of Dinobot Slug, Battering Ram depictsVolcanicus's left arm, which is formed by Slug in the artwork.

The artwork for Bot and Alt Mode is reused from theTransformers Legends mobile game.

Dinobot Slug, Battering Ram can be used to form Volcanicus, Fiery Champion with the use of the Action cardDinobot Enigma while he and the other Wave 2 Dinobots are in Bot mode on the battlefield or KO area.

Blokees

Galaxy Version

• Slag (Dino Mode) (2024)

• Series:Galaxy Version 03 - The Autobot Run

Released in the sixth wave ofBlokees'Galaxy Version line of blind boxes, this Slag is a snap-on model kit of hisTriceratops mode. He stands slightly shorter than other figures in the line and has no accessories (not even alternate hands). As advertised in the box, Slag has a pull rate of 1 in every 9 boxes, or three times across four cases.

Like the otherGalaxy Version kits since Wave 2, Slag features a slightly upgraded suite of standard body parts, notably the multi-colored head piece with color-coded eyes.

• Slag (Robot Mode) (2024)

• Series:Galaxy Version 03 - The Autobot Run
• Accessories: Spare balljoint piece, figure stand, 2 pairs of hands (holding, splayed), Energo Sword

ThisGalaxy Version kit of Slag is molded in his robot mode, based on his appearance in the G1 cartoon. He is built on a "Standard Body" skeleton shared with other Blokees figures in the line, but with different body pieces to make them distinct. Like the Alternate Mode kit above, Slag has a pull rate of 1 in every 9 boxes, or three times across four cases. He also comes with a pair of closed weapon-holding and open splayed hands, and an Energo Sword. He also reuses theTriceratops head for his robot's back.

The Energo Sword would later be reused for theShining VersionGrimlock.

X Yearly Version

• Exclusive Yearly Version - Dinobot Desertion (2026)

This item is currently scheduled for release, but is not yet available at mass retail.

Notes

Hey Weevil. Check it out. My dinosaur is horny.

• Slag's original toy was originally aDiaclone Dinosaur Robo Triceratops. In theDiaclone lore, this dinomech was a pilotable vehicle that could travel at speeds up of to 250 kilometers per hour and was designed for grasslands operation and melee combat. It also had a slightly different color scheme for itsrobot mode bits.
• A Slag toy can be seen in the recreation of the Scottish artist SirEduardo Paolozzi's studio at the ScottishDean Gallery. This makes him the secondDinobot to have a toy in a museum.

References