Emerging as a young Autobot rookie and trainee on Cybertron after the Unicron Battles, Ironhide aspires to become a full soldier. He exhibits strong hero-worship towards Optimus Prime and Hot Shot, volunteering for missions like investigating the attacked Mars City to prove himself. This initiative secures his assignment to Earth's Ocean City, where he first meets Kicker Jones, a human with energon-sensitivity. Despite initial mutual reluctance, Optimus Prime permanently partners Ironhide with Kicker, aiming for them to temper each other's recklessness. Their partnership eventually evolves into solid friendship. Ironhide gains the ability to Powerlink with other Autobots via a Combination Spark earned through battle. This allows him to combine with Jetfire and later Cliffjumper, enhancing their combat power. During the Unicron conflict, he undergoes reformatting into a new paint scheme alongside fellow Autobots. His primary vehicle mode is a blue Mazda Tribute featuring a prominent red turret-mounted weapon system firing missiles. A defining arc involves his relationship with Scorponok. Ironhide initially looks up to Scorponok, but this shifts dramatically when Scorponok turns against the Autobots. Leading a rookie team against Scorponok on a critical mission results in their defeat and implied deaths (explicitly fatalities in the Japanese version, ambiguous in the English dub). This loss fuels Ironhide's rage, driving him to confront Scorponok alone. In their battle, Ironhide delivers a severe blow penetrating Scorponok's armor, channeling energy from his fallen comrades. The conflict culminates with both entering stasis lock. Later, Scorponok transports Ironhide's damaged body to Optimus Prime on Jungle Planet. To save him, Ironhide's spark merges with Optimus Prime's. He is subsequently restored to full functionality. His final appearance places him alongside Kicker on Ocean Planet. In spin-off media like the *Timelines* storyline, Ironhide serves aboard the Autobot flagship *Iron Hope* during the Unicron Singularity crisis. As a bridge crew member under Ultra Magnus, he questions tactical decisions and battles Terrorcon forces. The Energon comics present an alternate background, depicting him as having once manufactured weapons for the Decepticons. His character design in toy form emphasizes stability and articulation, featuring a blocky vehicle mode and Powelinking compatibility, though noted as a commercial shelf-warmer.