Transformers: Armada | HD | Episode 14 | The Complete Series | Overmatch
322Demolisher, Starscream and Cyclonus search for a Mini-con panel among the high rocks. While Starscream tries to get it, Hot Shot appears, armed with the Star Saber. He attacks the 'Cons and wounds them all. The Decepticons are forced to warp out. Hot Shot is proud of his victory very much. Optimus Prime warns him that it is no time to relax yet, but Hot Shot declares overconfidently that the Star Saber will soon put an end to the war.
In the Decepticon headquarters everyone is in low spirits. Megatron states that it is necessary to warp in to the A-Base again and to seize the Star Saber, but Demolisher objects against this plan because it is mortally dangerous. Starscream says nothing, for he is too busy with the repairing his own hand. Unexpectedly an unknown Transformer makes his appearance. His name is Scavenger, and he is an over-mighty and skilful warrior. Megatron invites Scavenger to join up with his group and promises to reward him handsomely if he helps him to obtain the Star Saber. The other 'Cons are dissatisfied with Megatron's new «happy find». Starscream is especially discontented. He considers himself humiliated by Scavenger who refused to fight him because of his sore hand. But the Decepticons have to obey to their Lord, after all.
The next scene takes place on the Earth where the Autobots and Decepticons close for fighting. Scavenger watches the happening. Hot Shot is armed with the Star Saber, as usual. He brings down Cyclonus with one stroke, and Demolisher doesn't dare to attack him at all. Then Starscream challenges Hot Shot to a duel. Scavenger observes that it will be a fine performance. Starscream succeeds in wounding Hot Shot in the face, but the 'Bot cuts his wing-sword in two by the Star Saber. Starscream yells that the duel is not over yet. But Scavenger prevents them to go on with fighting. He says that Hot Shot's victory is that of the Star Saber only. Hot Shot is beside himself with rage. He attacks Scavenger but that one beats off his attack easily, so that the 'Bot drops the Star Saber. Megatron rushes in to seize the weapon but Optimus Prime is on his way. Just in this moment Cyclonus reports to Megatron that he had found a new Mini-con. The Decepticon leader finds it a suitable pretext for the warping out.
On the D-Base Scavenger informs the Decepticons that the Mini-con they've just found is part of the Skyboom Shield that can block the Star Saber.
Transformers: Armada was written and produced in Japan, with creative input from America (the Japanese originally envisioned the series as set in the G1 continuity, but this idea was discarded by Hasbro, who also mandated the inclusion of Unicron, who had not been in the original story treatment for the series). However, the show premiered on Cartoon Network's Toonami in America before its original Japanese counterpart had aired - the result of an unreasonable production schedule set by the network, which caused the series to be rushed out of production. Consequently, Armada features a lot of unfinished animation (which would go on to be perfected for the completed Japanese episodes), and a hastily produced dub which features many errors in naming such as Sureshock being repeatedly called "Grindor" in multiple episodes, Hot Shot being called "Hot Rod", and Optimus's Mini-Con partner Sparkplug being called "Leader-1" (the same name as Megatron's Mini-Con), as well as transliteration and nonsensical dialogue which does not match the action onscreen.
When Armada was released on DVD in Japan, each of the thirteen volumes came with a four-page mini-manga and an exclusive repainted Mini-Con figure. The manga, titled Tales of the Microns: Linkage, feature these repaints in an original story which served to fill in many of the blank spots and plot holes in the animated series.
Despite Transformers: Armada being made by a Japanese studio, it premiered first in the United States. The series premiered on Cartoon Network on August 23, 2002 at 4 P.M. with a 90-minute movie special, consisting of the first three episodes. Following its premiere, new episodes started coming out on August 30, airing every Friday at 6:30 P.M.
In the December issue of Japanese magazine Animage, it was announced that the anime would start airing in Japan on January 10, 2003 on TV Tokyo, with new episodes coming out every Friday at 6 P.M.