View source for Rhinox

:''Not to be confused with [[Rhino (Transformers)]].''
'''Rhinox''' is the name of three [[fictional character]]s from [[Transformers]] series. The first Rhinox is a Maximal defense specialist who first appeared as part of the Beast Wars toy line and animated series in 1996. 

==Beast Wars==
{{Infobox character|
 name           = Rhinox
|image          = rhinox-carded.jpg
|caption        = ''Beast Wars'' Rhinox on card
|affiliation    = Maximal, Predacon
|subgroup       = Deluxe Beast, Deluxe Vehicles, Transmetals
|function       = Defense, Strategic Defense,
|rank           = 5 (original and transmetal),  8 (10th Anniversary and Timelines)
|partner        = 
|motto          = ''"Power in defense of freedom will always triumph over power used for evil."''
|alternatemodes = Cybertronian [[Scoop Loader|front-end Loader]], [[northern white rhinoceros]], transmetal rhinoceros
|series         = ''[[Beast Wars]]'' <br /> ''[[Transformers: Timelines]]''<BR>''[[Transformers: Generations]]''<BR>''[[Transformers: Legends]]''
|engvoice       = [[Richard Newman (actor)|Richard Newman]]
|japanvoice     = [[Daiki Nakamura]]
}}
Rhinox first appears in ''[[Beast Wars]]''. He transforms into a Rhinoceros.
 
Rhinox's original tech spec portrayed him as an immensely tough and territorial Maximal dedicated to battling the Predacons. His Transmetal tech spec showed that he appreciated his increased mobility, pulling high speed attacks on the Predacons and showing off with wheelies. His 10th Anniversary Tech Spec was more in-line with the show portrayal. The show bible for ''Beast Wars'' describes Rhinox as a straight man who is inspired by [[Bud Abbott]].

Rhinox's voice actor attended [[BotCon]] 2006 at the Lexington Convention Center for the 10th anniversary of the TV series.<ref>[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-154327750.html TRANSFORMERS Fans Gather in Kentucky to Celebrate Their Love of 'MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE' Toys. Business Wire September 27, 2006]</ref>

===Animated series===
====Beast Wars====
[[image:rhinox-beastwars.jpg|left|thumb|240px|Rhinox in ''Beast Wars'']]
Rhinox's character in the ''Beast Wars'' television series is very different from how the toy was depicted. As one of the first year toys, the toy of Rhinox was created before the television series came along, and his character was written by Hasbro. These characterizations were largely thrown out the window by the television series producers. 

Rhinox was a [[Maximal (Transformers)|Maximal]] and [[Optimus Primal]]'s oldest friend, although it seems Rhinox has known [[Rattrap (Transformers)|Rattrap]] for even longer, stating he was his best friend in the episode "A Better Mousetrap". His beast mode is in the form of a large brown [[rhinoceros]]. He has two machine guns as weapons, which fans have nicknamed the “Chainguns of Doom”, though technically they are more akin to [[Gatling gun]]s. He usually stays in the base and acts as an engineer and [[second in command]] of the Maximals. Rhinox created the [[Axalon|Maximal Base]]'s automated defense system, dubbed Sentinel.

Rhinox seems generally as capable of leadership as Optimus Primal, and Optimus Primal has told him as much. However, Rhinox abhors the babysitting and loss of independence that come with being a full-time leader. He is indisputably loyal to Optimus Primal; their mutual respect is so strong that Rhinox is the only Maximal that Optimus Primal seeks advice from (causing mild, intermittent jealousy among a few other Maximals).  

Rhinox was defense officer of the Maximal ship called the ''[[Axalon]]'', commanded by Optimus Primal. Their mission was one of exploration and to get rid of the abomination called Protoform X, but things didn't go as planned. With crewmates Cheetor and Rattrap, the ''Axalon'' chased the Predacon criminal Megatron through transwarp space after the theft of the [[Golden Disk]]. The Maximals and Predacons crashed on prehistoric Earth, where high energon levels threatened to destroy the crew unless they adopted organic alternate modes. Rhinox was given the form of a rhino in "Beast Wars Part 1". 

Rhinox's talents would be displayed at multiple points in the ''Beast Wars''. He would be the one principally responsible for saving the life of the protoform that would become [[Airazor]], developing a paternalistic bond with her. Rhinox also created [[Sentinel (Beast Wars)|Sentinel]], a security computer that could defend their base from the Predacons. Later, after being blinded by an energon explosion caused by [[Scorponok]], Rhinox displayed his leadership abilities and coolness under pressure when he guided a similarly blinded [[Rattrap (Transformers)|Rattrap]], [[Dinobot]] and [[Cheetor]] back to base, showing them how to let their other senses help them and drive off the opportunistic Predacons.  

In "The Probe", Rhinox stayed behind the base to make a disc to contact a probe from Cybertron, while the other Maximals were being forced to be in beast mode by [[Tarantulas (Transformers)|Tarantulas]]'s new device. When he got to them was in time for him to knock over Megatron before he could destroy them. But when he was typing the code to contact the probe, he was transformed into beast mode by the "LENS", who then destroyed the Maximal device built to contact the probe. The Maximals too would have been destroyed if only it wasn't for Cheetor and [[Tigatron]]'s timely arrival. 

His most prominent episode in season one was in "Dark Designs", when he was turned into a Predacon by Megatron, only for the personality shift to prompt Rhinox to attempt to usurp Megatron by taking out all the other Predacons. When Megatron found out he sent his last two functioning warriors, [[Scorponok]] and [[Terrorsaur]], but Rhinox was able to pit them against each other, defeating both of them before taking out Megatron, only for the Predacon leader to return Rhinox to his Maximal programming when he was gloating. After he was turned back, the other Maximals came and rescued him. They (with [[Waspinator]]'s inadvertent help) destroyed the machine that turn him into a Predacon during their rescue.    

His other prominent episode was in "The Low Road", when he was infected with a cold-like virus which nearly destroyed him and the other Maximals. Dinobot and Rattrap managed to get the counter virus from [[Tarantulas (Transformers)|Tarantulas]], resulting in a defeat for the Predacons. Megatron would later describe it as the most humiliating defeat of his career, given that the fight culminated in Rhinox defeating the Predacons by emitting a powerful fart after consuming bean vines that had been growing around the Maximal base to blow the Predacons out of their own headquarters.

Rhinox was damaged by Tarantulas and [[Blackarachnia]] during a Predacon attack in the first season’s finale, and was subsequently offline for Primal's heroic sacrifice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secondtruth.com/bwtf/char4.htm |title=Rhinox |publisher=Secondtruth.com |date= |accessdate=2012-10-29}}</ref>

Rhinox was among those unaffected by the Quantum Wave which turned many Cybertronians into Transmetals. It's theorized by fans that he didn't change because he was in a cryo-regeneration chamber at the time (after being damaged by [[Tarantulas (Transformers)|Tarantulas]] and [[Blackarachnia]]), and was protected from it. However in the toy line he WAS released as a Transmetal and his tech spec stated he was changed by the Quantum Surge, but due to limitation in the show production, the producers kept Rhinox in his original form.

Rhinox becomes the new leader of the Maximals after Optimus's apparent death. It was revealed that even the Predacons respect him (perhaps after the events of "Dark Design) when the newly Transmetal Megatron flees rather than face a furious Rhinox, angered by Optimus's death at Megatron's hands. Rhinox even ventured (alone) into the "''Other side of the Matrix''" ("''where all are one''") using the hole in space/time left by the [[Vok]] Planet Buster's destruction, retrieving Optimus Primal's [[spark (Transformers)|spark]] and placing it in a new [[Transmetals|Transmetal]] body. After Primals resurrection, he relieved his leadership back to him.  

Rhinox continued to battle the Predacons and use his medical skills. When [[Transmutate]]'s stasis pod fell to Earth it was Rhinox who determined that she could be a potential threat (much to [[Silverbolt (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)|Silverbolt]]'s disgust) and also realized that Dinobot's wounds were fatal after his climactic battle with the Predacons. When Megatron attempted to alter history, Primal and the other Maximals pursued him to the ''[[Ark (Transformers)|Ark]]'', relying on Rhinox's great strength to force the doors of the damaged ''Ark'' open. However, they were too late. Megatron had shot [[Optimus Prime]] in the head and all of time began to destabilize.

Megatron's plan was thwarted when Blackarachnia unexpectedly switched sides, allowing Rhinox and the former Predacon to repair Prime's body while Optimus Primal safeguarded his Spark. He then tried to use [[Teletraan I]] defense weapons, to only fail and propose to get Sentinel at the old base. He later defended the ''Ark'' alongside Rattrap, only being saved by [[Depth Charge]]'s timely arrival, and managed to help Blackarachnia in her switch to a Transmetal II body. 

In the series conclusion, as Megatron attempted to use the [[Decepticon]] ship ''[[Nemesis (Transformers)|Nemesis]]'' to destroy the ''Ark'' and humanity, Rhinox realized that the Dinobot Clone’s transmission meant that history was still being written. Taking the Omega Delta Autobot shuttle, Rhinox managed to crash it through the bridge of the ''Nemesis'' effectively ending Megatron's threat, and with it, the ''[[Beast Wars]]''. After this, Rhinox returned with the other Maximals back to Cybertron.

====Beast Machines====
Unfortunately for the Maximals, [[Megatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)|Megatron]] broke free of his bonds in transwarp and arrived on Cybertron ahead of them, taking over the planet. When the [[Maximal (Transformers)|Maximal]] survivors inside the Autobot shuttle reached Cybertron, it was shot down by Megatron's forces and landed on the planet. The Maximals were chased by Megatron's [[Vehicon]] drones, who threw canisters of Megatron's transformation-freezing virus at them. All those Maximals whose bodies had been altered during the [[Beast Wars]] were transformed back to their original bodies and frozen in their beast modes. Rhinox and [[Silverbolt (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)|Silverbolt]], however, had their sparks captured by Megatron.

Megatron used Rhinox's spark to give life to one of the original three [[Vehicon]] generals: '''Tankor'''. 

====Transformers Animated====
In ''[[Transformers Animated]]'', a rhinoceros appears at the end of the episode "Predacons Rising", paying homage to Rhinox. With the rhino are a gorilla, a cheetah and a rat - each one paying homage to [[Optimus Primal#Transformers Animated|Optimus Primal]], [[Cheetor#Transformers Animated|Cheetor]] and [[Rattrap (Transformers)#Transformers Animated|Rattrap]], respectively.

===Comics===
====3H Enterprises====
Rhinox was one of the stars of the 1997 BotCon Convention Comics, a story set near the end of season one of the ''Beast Wars'' television series. In the convention comics plot, [[Inferno (Transformers)|Inferno]] and [[Blackarachnia]] watched as the Predacon scientist Fractyl attempted to invent energon armor capable of protecting them from energon build up. Although seemingly successful, the armor was stolen by the Maximal thief Packrat. Blackarachnia and Fractyl realized the energon armor was flawed and could destroy the planet if it came in contact with large amounts of energon. Inferno pursued Packrat, but since Packrat didn't need to assume beast mode with the armor on, he got the upper hand in the fight with Inferno. Hearing the battle, [[Airazor]], [[Cheetor]] and Rhinox joined Packrat. Fractyl convinced Rhinox that the armor was a threat to them all. Rhinox was able to talk Packrat into giving up the armor, which Fractyl aided them in doing. When Blackarachnia arrived with [[Megatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)|Megatron]], Packrat suggested that Fractyl pretend to be attacking the Maximals, who fled. Megatron was impressed with Fractyl's new found battle prowess.

Even with the death of Tankor in the ''Beast Machines'' story line, Rhinox would return in the story of ''Transformers: Universe''.

[[image:rhinox-3huniverse.jpg|right|thumb|240px|Rhinox in ''Transformers: Universe'']]
In ''Transformers: Universe'' #3 Alpha Trion and Primus claim they need Primal to choose his troops from any  Cybertonians, past or present, and he chooses Rhinox and Depth Charge, who are brought back to life. Although Rhinox is happy to have a second chance to redeem himself for his acts as Tankor, Depth Charge isn't pleased with being brought back from the dead. Subsequently Rhinox would appear as Primal's lieutenant in the 2004 BotCon voice actor play, using his technical expertise to build a device that stops Unicron pulling Transformers from other dimensions. However, this caused an Autobot shuttle piloted by [[Bumblebee (Transformers)|Bumblebee]], [[Cosmos (Transformers)|Cosmos]] and [[Tracks (Transformers)|Tracks]] to become lost in Rhinox's time. The Autobots would assist Rhinox' forces ([[Rattrap (Transformers)|Rattrap]], [[Silverbolt (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)|Silverbolt]] and [[Waspinator]]) to defeat the Decepticons and send both the Autobots and several other timelost groups back to their own times and realities.

Rhinox would eventually face an alternate Tankor in battle and defeat him; however, "[[Ask Vector Prime]]" later revealed that this Tankor was not another version of Rhinox, but rather [[Scorponok#Beast Wars|Scorponok]].

====Fun Publications====
Rhinox appears in the [[BotCon]] Timelines tale ''Dawn of Futures Past'', as the engineer of the Axalon. With his work seemingly cut out keeping the other two crew members in line, he was soon called upon to restore the ''Axalon'' after it was attacked and crippled by [[Laserbeak]] and Buzzsaw. With the former Decepticons distracted by another Maximal ship, Rhinox was able to get the ship's engines and guns online in time to destroy the Predacons. His engineering expertise was soon called upon again to save the lives of the other Maximal ship's [[Airazor|pilot]] and [[Tigatron|passenger]] by performing a remote spark transfer to the blank protoforms in the ''Axalon's'' cargo hold.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=848 |title=Transformers: Timelines #1: "Dawn of Future's Past" |publisher=Seibertron.com |date=2012-10-15 |accessdate=2012-10-29}}</ref>

====IDW Publishing====
[[image:dawnofthepredacus-axaloncrew.jpg|left|thumb|240px|The crew of the Axalon in ''Transformers: Dawn of the Predacus'']]
Rhinox appeared the [[IDW Publishing]] [[BotCon]] 2016 story ''[[Transformers: Dawn of the Predacus]]''. In this story Rhinox served on the Axalon under the command of Optimus Primal at the end of the Great War. The Axalon was sent to do orbital scans of Cybertron. The Axalon crew discovered a hidden installation on Unicron's head just as a Transmatter wave was launched at Cybertron. The shields of the Axalon partly deflected the wave, so only some on Cybertron's population was affected.<REF>{{Cite comic | writer = [[John-Paul Bove]] | artist = [[Corin Howell]] | title = Transformers: Dawn of the Predacus | date = March 2016 | publisher = IDW Publishing | location =  | url=}}</REF>

Rhinox had a biography printed in the ''Beast Wars Sourcebook'' by [[IDW Publishing]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/books/comics/news/article_1343405.php/Creators_of_Transformers_Beast_Wars_The_Gathering_are_back |title=Creators of Transformers: Beast Wars: The Gathering are back |publisher=Monsters and Critics |date=2007-08-15 |accessdate=2012-10-29}}</ref>

===Games===
*[http://home.comcast.net/~mathewignash/PDFs/RHINOX.pdf Rhinox for Champions RPG 4th edition]

===Toys===
* '''''Beast Wars'' Deluxe Rhinox''' (1996)
:This Deluxe sized toy came with a mutant mask and a sword which never made it to the animated series. The original toy of Rhinox came with a duel spinning mace weapon, but the show depicted this as an automatic chaingun weapon.<ref>[http://www.cobraislandtoys.com/tf/1996/rhinox.html]{{dead link|date=October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | title=The Unofficial Guide to Transformers 1980s Through 1990s Revised &amp; Expanded 2nd Edition | last=Alvarez | first=J.E. | year=2001 | publisher=Schiffer Publishing Ltd.| ISBN=0-7643-1364-9 | page= 121}}</ref>
*According to DVD extras from one release of the Beast Wars animated series a working name for this toy was "Ironhide".

* '''''Beast Wars'' Transmetal Deluxe Rhinox''' (1998)
:Rhinox did actually have a Transmetal body, despite the series. This figure was available packaged together with Transmetal Tarantulas in Japan. The Hasbro version of this toy has the word ''Rhinox'' on it, while the Takara version had the word ''Cybertron'' on it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct/TransformerFuzorsMaximalRhinox.pdf|title=Rhinox: Transformation|publisher=Hasvro.com|accessdate=2012-10-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | title=The Unofficial Guide to Transformers 1980s Through 1990s Revised &amp; Expanded 2nd Edition | last=Alvarez | first=J.E. | year=2001 | publisher=Schiffer Publishing Ltd.| ISBN=0-7643-1364-9 | page= 125}}</ref>

* '''''Beast Wars'' Rally's Rhinox''' (1998)
:A simple fast food premium available at Rally's and Checkers restaurants.

* '''''Beast Wars'' Fox Kids Deluxe Rhinox''' (1999)
:A recolor of the original Rhinox toy in grey and red.

* '''''Beast Wars'' Fox Kids Transmetal Deluxe Rhinox''' (2000)
:A recolor of the Transmetal Rhinox toy in blue and grey.

* '''''Beast Wars'' Deluxe 10th Anniversary Deluxe Rhinox''' (2006)
:In 2005 the original Rhinox toy was one of the toys selected for the ''Beast Wars 10th Anniversary'' toy line. He was repainted in more show-accurate colors. He came packaged with one of the six pieces used to make the [[Transmutate]] toy.<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/media/content/printable.cfm?release=467]{{dead link|date=October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mastercollector.com/articles/reviews/bw10thanv.htm |title=Product Reviews |publisher=Mastercollector.com |date= |accessdate=2012-10-29}}</ref>

* '''''Timelines'' Deluxe Rhinox''' (2006)
:A pre-''Beast Wars'' Rhinox toy was made for [[BotCon]] 2006. The toy was a recolor of ''Transformers: Cybertron'' [[Landmine (Transformers)|Landmine]]. 

*'''''Beast Wars Telemocha'' Deluxe Rhinox''' (2007)

*'''''Generations'' Voyager Rhinox''' (2014)
:A new mold. Turns from robot to rhino.

*'''''Legends'' Voyager Rhinox''' (2016)
:A recolor of ''Generations'' Voyager Rhinox. 
{{-}}

==Transformers: Armada==
{{Infobox character|
 name           = Rhinox/War
|image          = rhinox-armada-carded.jpg
|caption        = ''Armada'' Rhinox with Armorhide on card
|affiliation    = Autobot
|subgroup       = Deluxe Beast <br /> Transmetals
|function       =
|rank           =
|partner        = [[Armorhide]]
|motto          = "''Hard work never killed anybody.''"
|alternatemodes = Transmetal Rhinoceros 
|series         = ''Transformers: Armada''
|voiceby        =
}}
In the later ''[[Transformers: Armada]]'' series, which is set in a different Transformers universe from ''Beast Wars'' and ''Beast Machines'', Rhinox was one of five Transmetal Beast Warriors who appeared in Armada. Their toys were re-colored and modified to include [[Mini-Con]] powerlink points. Each was then partnered with one or more re-colored Mini-Cons from the Adventure and Street Speed Teams. Rhinox was partnered with Armorhide and was the only one of the four to appear in animated form.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unicron.us/tf2003/toypix/rhinox.htm |title=Rhinox with Armorhide |publisher=Unicron.us |date= |accessdate=2012-10-29}}</ref>

===Animated series===
This Rhinox had a cameo appearance in the cartoon series in episode 52, "Mortal Combat".

===Dreamwave Productions===
Rhinox appeared among the Autobots in the [[Dreamwave Productions]] ''[[Transformers: Armada|Armada]]'' comic book series. He was among the team of Autobots led by [[Jetfire]] who investigated mysterious Space Bridge activity at the Decepticon Headquarters—unaware it had been taken over by the [[Heralds of Unicron]].[[Bludgeon (Transformers)|Bludgeon]] was still present and stalked Jetfire's team. Rhinox survived relatively unscathed, unlike [[Blurr]] and [[Dropshot (Transformers)|Dropshot]], and helped to eventually destroy the samurai-like former Decepticon.

He fought against Unicron at the end of the ''Armada'' series and was abducted by the Chaos Bringer along with Airazor, Cheetor, and Terrorsaur.

''Armada'' Rhinox appeared as a minion of Unicron in the ''Transformers: Energon'' comic book series. Rhinox became "War", one of the [[Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse|Four Horsemen]] of [[Unicron]].

''Armada'' Rhinox also was set to appear in the unreleased issue 33 of the ''Transformers: Energon'' comic series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=787 |title=Transformers: Energon #33: "Transformers: Energon" |publisher=Seibertron.com |date=2012-10-15 |accessdate=2012-10-29}}</ref>

===Toys===
* '''''Armada'' Rhinox with Armorhide''' (2003)
:The [[transmetals|transmetal]] Rhinox toy was remoled and released as an [[Autobot]], partnered with the [[Mini-Con]] [[Armorhide]].<ref>[http://www.cobraislandtoys.com/tf/2003/rhinox-armada.html]{{dead link|date=October 2012}}</ref>
{{-}}

==Transtech==
{{Infobox character|
 name           = Rhinox
|image          = rhinox-transtech-art.jpg
|caption        = ''Transtech'' Rhinox art
|affiliation    = Maximal
|subgroup       = Transtechs
|rank           =
|function       = Scientist
|motto          =
|alternatemodes = Unknown
|series         = 
|voiceby        =
}}
Rhinox is a scientist on Transtech Cybertron.

===Fun Publications===
Rhinox appears in "Withered Hope", where he testified to the Senate on matter of the GoBot's dimensional travel.

Rhinox appears in ''Invasion Prologue'' by [[Fun Publications]].<ref>{{Cite comic| writer = Pete Sinclair &amp; Jesse Wittenrich | penciller = Will Mangin  | inker = Jake Isenberg | story =Invasion Prologue| title =Transformers Timelines | volume = | issue = | date =March, 2012 | publisher = [[Fun Publications]]| location = |url=http://www.botcon.com/BotCon2012/comic12.cfm}}</ref>

Rhinox appears in "A Flash Forward Epilogue" by Fun Publications. He discusses the recent dimensional problems with Prowl.<ref>{{cite comic |colorist=Thomas Deer|date=September 2012 |editor=Pete Sinclair |inker= Matt Frank |issue= | letterer=Jesse Wittenrich |penciller=Robby Musso|publisher=Fun Publications |story=A Flash Forward Epilogue|title=The Transformers Collectors Club| volume=1 |writer=Jesse Wittenrich &amp; Pete Sinclair}}</ref>

==Shattered Glass==
This version of Rhino is an evil counterpart of Beast Wars Rhinox.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* {{Cite book | title=Transformers: The Ultimate Guide | last=Furman | first=Simon | year=2004 | publisher=DK Publishing Inc.| ISBN=1-4053-0461-8 | page= 84}}

==External links==
* [http://www.unicron.us/tf2003/toypix/rhinox.htm ''Armada'' Rhinox and Armorhide fan page]
* [http://www.seibertron.com/database/character.php?view=&amp;char_id=1041 ''Armada'' Rhinox fan page]

[[Category:1996 toys]]
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[[Category:1999 toys]]
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[[Category:2003 toys]]
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[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Fictional characters introduced in 1996]]
[[Category:Fictional rhinoceroses]]
[[Category:Fictional scientists]]
[[Category:Maximals (Transformers)]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass Maximals]]