Energon

One difficulty in combining multiple Transformers continuities concerns the different handling of "Energon" with regards to what it is, how you obtain it, and what it does. For the purposes of Deadzone, the following assumptions are made:

Liquid Energon

Liquid Energon is the only substance referred to as "energon" by G1 Transformers. It is usually a glowing pink liquid, although it could occasionally be spotted in other colors (probably due to animation errors, but for our purposes we'll just assume it can come in other varieties). G1 Transformers have the capability to derive liquid Energon from any energy source with the appropriate machinery on-hand. An empty Energon cube can similarly be used to convert other energy sources to liquid Energon. G1 Transformers use liquid Energon pretty strictly as fuel. The episode Roll For It suggests that more potent initial energy sources can result in more potent liquid Energon which, in turn, results in temporary power-ups for the users. Over-energization leads to a state akin to drunkenness in human beings. Deadzone makes the assumption that Transformers can also recharge from many non-Energon energy sources, but doing so results in a "dirty charge," and leads to a need for more regular maintenance as the internal systems must be properly cleaned out. A few fuel sources, however, cannot be used without processing, and will have negative effects on the Transformer if this is attempted. Sugar and coal are examples here. There are also a few super-fuels that have unusual properties, such as Nucleon, but those are very rare and difficult to come by.

There is also a "medical grade" of liquid Energon, which is the Energon used in the healing baths that crops up in several series. While this substance can be used as fuel, it is usually used for medicinal purposes. The Armada-Energon-Cybertron Transformers are shown to only be able to derive it from raw, crystal Energon, but its presence in other series (including the Dreamwave G1 series) shows that it can be created through other means. The Deadzone assumption is that it is generally much more difficult to manufacture than normal Energon, and very strange or severe injuries still require a medic. Further, other unusual operations cannot be accomplished by the baths.

Crystal Energon

Crystal Energon is the raw form of Energon in the Armada-Energon-Cybertron series, and must be processed into other forms, either weapons or, more rarely, the liquid form. When a Transformer from one of these series refers to Energon, they are usually thinking of Crystal Energon or one of the more processed solids. Energy crystals of sorts occasionally showed up in the G1-derived shows. However, they were generally just called "energy crystals" and never "Energon." However, for the purposes of the Deadzone, it is assumed that what a G1 Transformer calls an "energy crystal" is the same thing that an Energon Transformer would call an Energon crystal. In at least one G1 episode, a G1 Transformer is shown to use unprocessed crystals directly as fuel (Perceptor puts them in Omega Supreme's fuel tank in the episode was The God Gambit), but the ones seen in G1 were often unstable.

Energon and Energy Weapons

Although the G1 Transformers occasionally made use of energy weapons of various sorts (Megatron's energy mace and Optimus Prime's energy axe in More Than Meets The Eye, Megatron's energy sword in the animated Movie), only the Armada-Energon-Cybertron Transformers are known for processing raw crystal Energon into Energon weapons. The Deadzone assumption is that these weapons, which have a more-or-less continuous physical form, will work for anyone who can get ahold them (they do eventually run out and fade). A G1 (or other series) Transformer's energy weapon is produced by a projected energy field of sorts, and when the weapon is shut off no longer has a physical form. If the device that projects the field (for example, the hilt of Megatron's energy sword) is stolen and the device is activated, it can be used by anyone until the charge runs out. However, many G1 Transformers who have such weapons have the field generators built as part of their body, making theft difficult. In order to steal Optimus Prime's energy axe, you'd have to steal part of his arm with it! You're probably better off just finding your own weapon. Finally, Grimlock has an "energo sword," but this appears to be a physically sword that is powered and technologically enhanced. At one point Optimus Prime and Megatron are seen dueling with crystal energy shards, but these would be classified as raw crystal Energon (explained above). The two leaders were merely improvising.

Energon Stars

Energon Stars are vaguely turtle-shaped stars of Energon that promptly become lost upon the opening of a Energon Transformers toy, unless they are stuck in place and never removed.

Or at least, that is the experience of at least one the admin. They are also apparently a means of storing solid Energon or Energon weapons in a more compact, stable form. They can be attached to a Transformer's body for a short-lived power boost (Deadzone assumes they will work for everyone, but once they run out, that's it). A user may also pull an Energon weapon (described above) from them, although it is likely that a Transformer from the wrong reality will not understand how to do this. Energon stars come in different colors, dependant on whether they are of Energon Terrorcon or Omnicon origin.

Note: Only Energon Terrorcons can process Energon. G1 Blot, for example, can not.