MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Caste system

2012-02-12T09:38:54Z

108.38.126.227: /* War for Cybertron & Prime castes */

:''The caste system is an element of Transformer society from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''

'''The caste system''' was a rigid social hierarchy installed on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] following the disappearance of the [[Thirteen|Primes]]. The caste system was overseen and administered by the [[Guilds of Cybertron]]. It was at [[Fort Scyk]] that the first generals of the High Council's militias first conceived the idea of formalizing the formerly loose-knit castes. [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]] was a major proponent of the system and played a large part in its evolution and adoption as an absolute, mandatory social authority.

Though its rigid structure was intended to preserve Cybertronian society, its repressive force was a large factor in the social decay and unrest that lead to the formation of the [[Decepticon]]s and the start of the great war.

==Known castes==
Under the caste system, a Transformer was assigned to a caste by the Guilds at the moment they emerged from the [[Well of AllSparks]]; these assignments were immediate and absolute. Known pre-war castes and their place in the social hierarchy:

*Low castes
**Industrial workers and miners

*Middle castes
**Building and civil engineering

*High castes
**Science
**Art
**Government

*Castes of unknown level
**[[Data Caste]]
**[[Cultural investigator]]
**[[Programming Caste]]

== War for Cybertron & Prime castes ==
*[[Leader (WFC)|Leader caste]]
**Government
*[[Scout (WFC)|Scout caste]]
**Specializes in ''"Intelligence Assessment"'', and may include any or all of the following: ''Espionage; Sabotage; Reconnaissance; Surveillance; Infiltration; Assassination;''
***Examples: [[Bumblebee (Prime)]], [[Soundwave (Prime)]], [[Arcee (Prime)]], [[Makeshift (Prime)]]
*[[Scientist (WFC)|Scientist caste]]
**Medical
*[[Soldier (WFC)|Soldier caste]]
**Heavy Soldier
**Defender
**Brute
**Artillery specialist
*Worker caste
**Miner

==Notes==
*It is known that the Data Caste is higher than that of industrial workers, it is likely one of the middle castes from the way it is described, but this is not said outright. The Cultural Investigation caste is, again, higher than the Data caste but whether this makes it part of the "High Castes" or simply "higher" within the middle caste is unknown.
*It is mentioned each Cybertronian is taught to assume their most natural [[alternate mode]] and then assigned to a caste. However, it is seemingly arbitrary whether one tank becomes a soldier while [[Megatron (Prime)|another]] becomes a miner... which is the point the Decepticons were making, really.

{{stub}}
[[Category: Transformer culture]]
[[Category: War for Cybertron]]

Caste system

2012-02-12T09:37:30Z

108.38.126.227: /* War for Cybertron & Prime castes */

:''The caste system is an element of Transformer society from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''

'''The caste system''' was a rigid social hierarchy installed on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] following the disappearance of the [[Thirteen|Primes]]. The caste system was overseen and administered by the [[Guilds of Cybertron]]. It was at [[Fort Scyk]] that the first generals of the High Council's militias first conceived the idea of formalizing the formerly loose-knit castes. [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]] was a major proponent of the system and played a large part in its evolution and adoption as an absolute, mandatory social authority.

Though its rigid structure was intended to preserve Cybertronian society, its repressive force was a large factor in the social decay and unrest that lead to the formation of the [[Decepticon]]s and the start of the great war.

==Known castes==
Under the caste system, a Transformer was assigned to a caste by the Guilds at the moment they emerged from the [[Well of AllSparks]]; these assignments were immediate and absolute. Known pre-war castes and their place in the social hierarchy:

*Low castes
**Industrial workers and miners

*Middle castes
**Building and civil engineering

*High castes
**Science
**Art
**Government

*Castes of unknown level
**[[Data Caste]]
**[[Cultural investigator]]
**[[Programming Caste]]

== War for Cybertron & Prime castes ==
*[[Leader (WFC)|Leader caste]]
**Government
*[[Scout (WFC)|Scout caste]]
**Specializes in ''"Intelligence Assessment"'', and may include any or all of the following: ''Espionage; Sabotage; Reconnaissance; Surveillance; Infiltration; Assassination;''
***Examples: Bumblebee (Prime), Soundwave (Prime), Arcee (Prime), Makeshift (Prime)
*[[Scientist (WFC)|Scientist caste]]
**Medical
*[[Soldier (WFC)|Soldier caste]]
**Heavy Soldier
**Defender
**Brute
**Artillery specialist
*Worker caste
**Miner

==Notes==
*It is known that the Data Caste is higher than that of industrial workers, it is likely one of the middle castes from the way it is described, but this is not said outright. The Cultural Investigation caste is, again, higher than the Data caste but whether this makes it part of the "High Castes" or simply "higher" within the middle caste is unknown.
*It is mentioned each Cybertronian is taught to assume their most natural [[alternate mode]] and then assigned to a caste. However, it is seemingly arbitrary whether one tank becomes a soldier while [[Megatron (Prime)|another]] becomes a miner... which is the point the Decepticons were making, really.

{{stub}}
[[Category: Transformer culture]]
[[Category: War for Cybertron]]

Caste system

2012-02-12T09:24:01Z

108.38.126.227: /* Known castes */

:''The caste system is an element of Transformer society from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''

'''The caste system''' was a rigid social hierarchy installed on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] following the disappearance of the [[Thirteen|Primes]]. The caste system was overseen and administered by the [[Guilds of Cybertron]]. It was at [[Fort Scyk]] that the first generals of the High Council's militias first conceived the idea of formalizing the formerly loose-knit castes. [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]] was a major proponent of the system and played a large part in its evolution and adoption as an absolute, mandatory social authority.

Though its rigid structure was intended to preserve Cybertronian society, its repressive force was a large factor in the social decay and unrest that lead to the formation of the [[Decepticon]]s and the start of the great war.

==Known castes==
Under the caste system, a Transformer was assigned to a caste by the Guilds at the moment they emerged from the [[Well of AllSparks]]; these assignments were immediate and absolute. Known pre-war castes and their place in the social hierarchy:

*Low castes
**Industrial workers and miners

*Middle castes
**Building and civil engineering

*High castes
**Science
**Art
**Government

*Castes of unknown level
**[[Data Caste]]
**[[Cultural investigator]]
**[[Programming Caste]]

== War for Cybertron & Prime castes ==
*Leader caste
**Government
*Scout caste
**Specializes in ''"Intelligence Assessment"'', and may include any or all of the following: ''Espionage; Sabotage; Reconnaissance; Surveillance; Infiltration; Assassination;''
***Examples: Bumblebee (Prime), Soundwave (Prime), Arcee (Prime), Makeshift (Prime)
*Scientist caste
**Medical
*Warrior caste
**Assault
**Siege
*Worker caste
**Miner

==Notes==
*It is known that the Data Caste is higher than that of industrial workers, it is likely one of the middle castes from the way it is described, but this is not said outright. The Cultural Investigation caste is, again, higher than the Data caste but whether this makes it part of the "High Castes" or simply "higher" within the middle caste is unknown.
*It is mentioned each Cybertronian is taught to assume their most natural [[alternate mode]] and then assigned to a caste. However, it is seemingly arbitrary whether one tank becomes a soldier while [[Megatron (Prime)|another]] becomes a miner... which is the point the Decepticons were making, really.

{{stub}}
[[Category: Transformer culture]]
[[Category: War for Cybertron]]

Decepticon leader

2012-02-07T08:29:22Z

108.38.126.227:

{{factions|decepticon}}

[[Image:WorldsCollide3_MegatronVsGalvatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Whoever wins, we lose.]]

Among the [[Decepticon]]s, there is one guiding principle: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kratocracy rule of the strong]. Whereas the [[Prime (rank)|leader]] of the [[Autobot]]s consults his subordinates, the strongest and the most powerful Decepticon leads, and everyone else is expected to follow without question. But strength of body is not enough. One must also have the brains to lead, the intelligence to outwit their rivals and plan their victories. Thus, the '''Decepticon leader''' is the strongest and smartest of their ranks.

Guess [[Ratbat (G1)|how]] [[Scourge (RID)|many]] [[Octane|Decepticons]] [[Megatron (disambiguation)|think]] [[Starscream (disambiguation)|they]] [[Shockwave (G1)|qualify]].

{{bigquote|Only a select few ever lead, Starscream.|[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] on the nature of power|"[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Marvel Comics=====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Megatrong1earlymarvel.jpg|left|thumb|75px|First...]]
[[Image:Straxusholdscourt.jpg|right|thumb|100px|...and the worst.]]

[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] served as commander over all of the Decepticons for over one thousand years until he and other Decepticons and Autobots were lost buried in a [[Mount St. Hilary|volcano]] on [[Earth]]. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} ''In his absence, the War-Lord [[Trannis]] took control of the Decepticon army. Trannis conquered most of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and destroyed [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], forcing the Autobots underground. In time Trannis grew complacent and some Decepticons had the opinion that he was insufficiently aggressive. The [[Decepticon High Command|Decepticon high command]] made plans to oust him, but the [[Wrecker]]s beat them to it when they assassinated him. He was succeeded by the more relentless [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]].'' {{storylink|Cybertron: The Middle Years!}} Straxus became "Lord High Governor of [[Polyhex]]". {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}}

Meanwhile, four million years had passed and the Decepticons on Earth awoke isolated from Cybertron and unaware of current events. Megatron continued his role as commander, effectively making him leader of the Earth-bound Decepticons. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} ''[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] would briefly try to nick his job and failed miserably.'' {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}}

[[Image:Megatrong1marvelhumiliation.jpg|left|thumb|200px|"Now, ''I'' am the le-"]]
[[Image:Laserbeakdeterminescommand.jpg|right|thumb|200px|"...never mind."]]

When Megatron was defeated shortly after the Decepticons reactivated, Military Operations Commander [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] defeated the Autobots {{storylink|The Last Stand}} and usurped Megatron, reducing Megatron to [[second-in-command]]. {{storylink|The New Order}} Megatron was soon defeated by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and went missing for a time. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}} Shockwave was then, himself, beaten and briefly stucked in a swamp. {{storylink|Prime Time!}} ''Soundwave took command in their absence'' {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}} ''and scored a major victory.'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}} Megatron returned {{storylink|Shooting Star!}} to command some of the Earth Decepticons while Shockwave led a group of others. ''Soundwave played for both teams, until, for the good of the Decepticons, he demanded they work together;'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}} the two agreed to joint leadership, {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}} until Megatron was able to use logic to convince Shockwave to give him full leadership. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

Meanwhile, after receiving a mayday from the Earth bound Decepticons, Straxus contacted the Earth-bound Decepticons, and the two groups agreed to cooperate. Straxus built a [[space bridge]] to transport resources back and forth. Straxus went boom {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}} ''and was reduced to a floating head.'' {{storylink|The Harder They Die!}} ''On Earth, Megatron's growing paranoia caused Shockwave and Soundwave to try removing him;'' {{storylink|Prey!}} ''instead, Megatron ended up on Cybertron, where his presence and madness undermined Straxus. Lord Straxus attempted to possess Megatron in an attempt to end this threat and gain a body, but this ended with Straxus dead ([[Two Megatrons!|sort of]]).'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}} With Straxus dead, fuel auditor [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] ascended to ''de facto'' command of Cybertron. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}} Still, an unseen [[Decepticon Imperial Headquarters]] would give him marching orders. {{storylink|Club Con!}}

[[Image:Ratbatcratercritters.jpg|left|thumb|150px]]

After seemingly killing [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], Megatron went mad and apparently killed himself, allowing Shockwave to assume full leadership of the Earth-bound Decepticons again. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}} The Earth-bound Decepticons coordinated with [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}} Ratbat himself eventually came to Earth, and had a very uneasy alliance with Shockwave; in contrast to his clashes with Megatron, Shockwave was left trying to justify his strategies and ''impress'' the fuel auditor. {{storylink|Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom}} ''Following a massive cock-up by Shockwave that undermined his authority,'' {{storylink|Enemy Action!}} Ratbat oversaw several Earth operations directly. {{storylink|Toy Soldiers!}}

While this was going on, the Decepticon [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] took his unit to follow [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] to [[Nebulos]], where he underwent [[binary bonding]] with [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]]. Following Fortress Maximus to Earth, Scorponok operated independently from Shockwave and Ratbat, leading his own troops. {{storylink|The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters}}

Shockwave went missing in action and Ratbat, happily letting this happen to Shockers, became commander of Earth's Decepticons. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}} Scorponok, meanwhile, was operated his ''own'' faction on Earth. {{storylink|Trial by Fire!}} ''Shockwave set up shop with a small third faction in [[Fortress Sinister]],'' {{storylink|Salvage!}} ''but he'd eventually lose his men as he went mad.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}} Eventually, Scorponok and Ratbat met up... and had [[Decepticon Civil War|a big punch-up]], thanks to manipulation by Starscream {{storylink|Cold War!}} By the end of this and some fun with the [[Underbase]], Ratbat was shot dead by Scorponok and Starscream killed by the Underbase's power. Without any rivals, Scorponok easily settled into power as Earth's sole Decepticon leader. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

[[Image:FallAndRiseTriumvirateHeads.jpg|left|150px|thumb|]]
[[Image:Thunderwingwhereisthecreationmatrix.jpg|right|150px|thumb]]

''''On Cybertron, [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] petitioned the [[Decepticon High Council]] to be appointed the new leader (even though someone else appears to have been leader.'' {{storylink|The Big Shutdown!}} {{storylink|Assault on the Ark!}} ''Straxus/Megatron (don't ask) arrived in [[Helex]] to find the [[Decepticon Empire]] had become lax under the ruling Decepticon [[Triumverate]]. Straxus/Megatron inspired a crowd of Decepticons to take action. The Triumverate were killed and Straxus/Megatron took control of the empire.'' {{storylink|The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire}} ''Megatron arrived and confronted Straxus/Megatron leading the latter to take his own life,'' {{storylink|Two Megatrons!}} but kept his return secret. The confusing situation was made simpler when Megatron became lost in a portal {{storylink|Skin Deep}} and Thunderwing was killed due to his Matrix obsession. {{storylink|All Fall Down}}

[[Image:Allthisandcivilwar-arethey.jpg|thumb|left|150px]]

With [[Unicron]] fast approaching Cybertron, Optimus Prime made the decision to surrender to Scorponok, in return for allying with the Autobots against Unicron. {{storylink|Surrender!}} Scorponok planned to betray Prime, but Zarak later agreed to the alliance. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} However, Scorponok's troops were growing disgruntled, especially by his recruitment of (the newly not dead) Starscream. Taking advantage of this, Shockwave managed to get several disgruntled Decepticons to ally with him and attack Scorponok's group. {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} Ultimately, they were all transported to Cybertron by [[Primus]], who named Optimus Prime as the commander of Cybertron's united army. {{storylink|Out of Time!}}

{{note|After the battle with Unicron, the scope of Cybertron society is drastically reduced for storytelling reasons. References to existing Cybertron-based Decepticon forces and the underground Autobot resistance is dropped, leaving primarily the core Earth-based cast. Presumably, Unicron killed everyone else.}}

[[Image:Bludgeon-youlie1.jpg|thumb|right|150px]]

During the battle with Unicron, Optimus Prime and Scorponok were both killed. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} As Shockwave and Starscream fled the dying Cybertron, {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] was acclaimed Decepticon leader by the surviving Decepticons. {{storylink|Exodus!}} He led the Decepticons in the conquest of [[Klo]], {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}} then massacred the Autobots who arrived to stop them. He was stopped by the return of Optimus Prime, who had been revived by the [[Last Autobot]], whom Bludgeon had worshiped as the Ultimate Warrior. The Last Autobot revived the fallen Autobots, and Bludgeon agreed to lead the Decepticons into exile... planning to bide their time. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

Shockwave, meanwhile, had hijacked the Ark alongside Starscream with the intention of using it to conquer Earth. {{storylink|Still Life!}} He didn't count on [[Galvatron II|an alternate timeline Galvatron]] to have attempted the same thing. He also didn't count on Ratchet and Megatron (yep, he's back again) to be on board the Ark in stasis, though, nor did he expect the pair to awaken during the journey. {{storylink|Exodus!}} While Megatron kept Shockwave and Starscream occupied, Ratchet forced the Ark to crash violently into the ground. Galvatron was the only one to emerge from the crash, and he appeared to be the only survivor. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}}

''In an alternate timeline, Scorponok, Shockwave and Megatron were having a three-way Decepticon civil war over Decepticon leadership during the late 80s/early 90s.'' {{storylink|Trigger-Happy!}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[Image:SpacePiratesSoundwaveLeader.JPG|left|200px|thumb|''Everyone'' would follow a bore like him!]]

Scorponok, Shockwave, and Megatron had a three-way civil war for Decepticon leadership; Megatron won. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} In 2006, Megatron was transformed into Galvatron (ending an attempt by Starscream to seize leadership) {{storylink|Target: 2006}} and would later escape by time travel. {{storylink|Fallen Angel|Fallen Angel!}} This led to a ''very'' messy leadership situation, as Shockwave, Cyclonus and Scourge (working as Unicron's proxies), and Soundwave would all take command sequentially over the next few years. Shockwave succeeded in re-conquering half of Cybertron, and Soundwave pulled off the nifty trick of conning the ''Autobots'' into saving his army from [[Quintesson]] attack.

Eventually, a post-[[Time Wars]] clean-up of the timeline happened, and Galvatron had now [[retcon|always been commander since 2006]].

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
Megatron and Shockwave were both stuck on Earth with small platoons, and waged a constant civil war over leadership and the planet. {{storylink|Life in the Slow Lane}} Scorponok is referred to as also existing, and presumably commands the Decepticons that ''aren't'' on Earth. [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] of all people ''tried'' to become Decepticon leader by usurping Scorponok's command; it went ''poorly''. {{storylink|The Living Nightlights!}}

The Autobots sabotaged any attempt to stop the leadership conflict. {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}} Eventually, Starscream and Soundwave deposed Megatron and Shockwave, uniting the two factions as ''joint'' Decepticon leaders. {{storylink|Internal Affairs!}} Unsurprisingly, they both planned to backstab the other and take sole control at some point. Megatron and Shockwave also teamed up, attempting to regain control. {{storylink|External Forces!}}

=====Another Time & Place=====
[[Image:MarvelUSG2-05.jpg|right|100px|thumb|''That'll'' teach you to be a ''late'' 80s character and want scenes!]]

Following the defeat on [[Klo]], Bludgeon attempted to bring back Megatron to lead ''instead'' of him. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}

=====Generation 2=====
Bludgeon led his forces back into battle, arming his army in preparation for a major strike. {{storylink|Primal Fear!|Old Evils}} {{storylink|Ghosts}} Upon his return, Megatron challenged Bludgeon for leadership of the Decepticons. After a fierce battle, Megatron emerged victorious. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory|Tales of Earth Part Two}}

=====Classics=====
Megatron's status as the Decepticon leader is all but unchallenged... on Earth. Bludgeon and his loyal troops remain, scattered across the universe.

And then Megatron killed him and took command. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

{{-}}
====Cartoon continuity====
=====''The Transformers'' cartoon=====
[[Image:EarlyDecepticonLeader01.jpg|left|100px|thumb|]]
At first, the Decepticons were led by an [[Early Decepticon leader|old Decepticon]] who could not [[Transformation|transform]]. When he lost the [[Cybertronian Civil Wars|Second Cybertronian War]] against the Autobots, he was replaced with [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], who led the Decepticons to conquer much of Cybertron. Upon Megatron's and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s disappearances, the war on Cybertron entered a stalemate. [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] had been appointed [[Cybertron Guard|Guardian of Cybertron]] in Megatron's absence, and became de facto Decepticon leader. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} Once Megatron resumed contact with Cybertron, Shockwave resubmitted to his authority. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion}} At one point, Megatron introduced himself to [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], addressing himself as '''Supreme Leader'''. {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}}

[[Air Commander]] [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], long contemptuous of Megatron's leadership, made several attempts to supplant Megatron. They all ended with failure, usually due to his own impatience or the other Decepticons' loyalty to Megatron.

[[Image:TripleTakeover Mount Deceptimore.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
Starscream eventually decided to get some help. He made plans with [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] to trap Megatron in a tunnel and freeze him. However, the [[Triple Changer|Triple Changers]] betrayed Starscream, leaving them both to freeze, and proceeded to wreak havoc. Megatron and Starscream were freed due to an accident on Astrotrain's part, and after defeating Astrotrain, Blitzwing, [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], Starscream and Megatron resumed leadership of the Decepticons. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}}

By 2005, the Decepticons had conquered most of Cybertron. The Autobots retained control of two moons and held a reserve force at [[Autobot City]]. Megatron launched an [[Battle of Autobot City|assault on Autobot City]], where he and Optimus Prime mortally wounded each other. During the trip back to Cybertron, Astrotrain required the Decepticons to jettison excess weight or he would be unable to make it back. The wounded Decepticons were thrown overboard to allow the survivors to return, with Starscream personally ejecting Megatron. After a mild scuffle aboard Astrotrain, Starscream emerged as the new Decepticon leader. Meanwhile, Megatron was discovered by [[Unicron]] and [[reformatting|reformatted]] into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. With a new body and troops, Galvatron returned to Cybertron and killed Starscream with a single blast, ending Starscream's glorious reign of about twenty minutes (or twenty seconds depending on how you look at it). Galvatron was hailed as the new leader of the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

After Unicron's attack on Cybertron and the disappearance of Galvatron, the Decepticons fled to [[Chaar]]. Without strong leaders like Galvatron, Starscream, or Shockwave, the Decepticons fell into a period of disunity, where they fought each other for scraps of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]]. Ultimately, [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] located Galvatron, who reorganized the Decepticons. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness}}

=====Robot Masters=====
After the disappearance of Megatron, the leadership of the Decepticons was helmed by Starscream. However, a [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] from another time challenged Starscream for leadership and won. {{storylink|The Usurper Decepticon Takes Control}}

====Dreamwave====
[[Image:Ratbatwarwithin.jpg|left|100px|thumb|Screw Megatron, let's see more of the ''real'' Decepticon leader!]]
At first, Megatron was the sole leader of the Decepticons, with his chief lieutenants being Air Commander Starscream, Military Operations Commander Shockwave, and Intelligence and Communications Officer Soundwave. {{storylink|Transformers: The War Within|The War Within}} After Megatron was believed to have been destroyed along with Optimus Prime in a space bridge explosion, Shockwave became Decepticon leader, but Starscream and High Auditor Ratbat broke off from the Decepticon army, forming the [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacons]] and [[Ultracon|Ultracons]], respectively. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|War Within: The Dark Ages}} Megatron's return to Cybertron saw him resume command of the fragmented Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Age of Wrath|War Within: The Age of Wrath}}

After Megatron, Starscream, and Soundwave disappeared chasing Optimus Prime's crew aboard the ''Ark'', Shockwave emerged as Decepticon leader, this time as part of a triumvirate that included Scorponok and Ratbat. He was briefly overthrown by [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]], who used his head to issue commands to Shockwave's troops, but Skystalker was defeated and Shockwave resumed command. {{storylink|Transformers: Micromasters}}

[[Image:Shockwavedwwarandpeace.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
With the [[Great Shutdown]], all Transformers entered a period of enforced [[stasis lock]]. Shockwave was reactivated by Unicron's herald [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], but Shockwave defeated Scourge, studying him. Learning secrets about Cybertron that Megatron had previously discovered, Shockwave made peace with the Autobots, installing himself as Head of State with an [[Autobot High Council]] as a legislature. On Earth, Megatron retained command of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' crew, but he was defeated when Shockwave arrived, intent on gaining the Matrix from Optimus Prime. Starscream ejected Megatron from the ship transporting them back to Cybertron, then recruited the ''Nemesis'' crew and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] to conquer Earth. When Optimus Prime was brought to Cybertron, he united the Autobot resistance groups and overthrew Shockwave. Shockwave was able to retain command of a small number of loyal Decepticons still on planet, while Starscream led the ''Nemesis'' crew back to Earth. {{storylink|Prime Directive}} {{storylink|War and Peace}}

Meanwhile, Megatron was repaired by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], and managed to locate a trio of [[Air Warrior]]s he used to recruit the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. Heading for Cybertron, he took command of Shockwave's forces, forcing Shockwave into a subordinate state. On Earth, Starscream's failures against the Autobots and [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] made Soundwave, his cassettes, and the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] all too willing to mutiny against Starscream in favor of Megatron. {{storylink|Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave) |Generation One}}

{{note|Dreamwave's ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)#Issue #8|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' makes a passing reference to the "reign of the mighty Scorponok" occurring sometime after the (second) disappearance of Megatron and before the Great Shutdown. It is unknown if this preceded or succeeded the events of ''Micromasters''.}}

====IDW Comics====
[[Image:Apexthrone.JPG|left|200px|thumb|]]
Megatron founded the Decepticons in a violent uprising, {{storylink|The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin}} and in a shocking twist of fate ''reigned without problem'': most potential challengers, such as Starscream, were too piss-scared of Megatron {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}} and even the idea of ''questioning'' Megatron was a worry. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1|Devastation #1}} While he wanted Starscream to take over from him at some point, he would only allow it if Starscream was able to ''take'' command; {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} when Starscream attempted a rebellion, Megatron took his best shots and then crippled him, but left him alive. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}} In contrast, when [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] attempted rebellion, Megatron beat him to death. {{storylink|Spotlight: Ramjet}}

[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] has noted with envy and annoyance that the Decepticons are far more unified than the Autobots. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|All Hail Megatron #15}}

This all went to pot when Megatron achieved near-victory, and the Decepticon advance stagnated. The troops were disgruntled, and Starscream warned that coup attempts were going to come. Unsurprisingly, Starscream himself led one with most of the Earth-based Decepticons... a coup Megatron anticipated and appeared to have wanted, as he had a convoluted plan to reshape his troops into a less nasty form now he'd won. Unfortunately for him, he was viciously damaged by a surprise Autobot attack. {{storylink|The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron}} Immediately, leadership fragmented: Soundwave and his crew kept Megatron alive, providing a barrier to any attempt at legitimacy; Starscream had temporary command but knew [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] or someone would challenge him for it. In desperation, he waved the stolen Autobot Matrix around and declared it had chosen him, gaining legitimate command that way. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|All Hail Megatron #13}}. Megatron was then rebuilt {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon}}, but Starscream kept his leadership until he lost the Matrix to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]. {{storylink|Heart Like a Wheel|Heart Like a Wheel}}

===Live-action films===
[[Image:TheFallen-ROTFNemesis.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"It's funny how 'leading' looks a lot like ''sitting on your arse''."]]

Originally styled [[Lord High Protector|High Protector]] of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] amended his title to ''Lord'' High Protector upon forming the Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers: Defiance|Defiance}} {{storylink|Transformers: Movie Prequel|Movie Prequel}} Notably in this continuity family, while Megatron leads the Decepticons, his loyalty to [[The Fallen]], known as the first Decepticon, means supreme command lies with him. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)}} He was the one who told Megatron what strategies to take in the early days, though he left Megatron to command by himself as he left [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to find a [[Star Harvester]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Defiance|Defiance}} During his absence while searching for the [[AllSpark]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] assumed command as Decepticon leader, though he grew quite comfortable with the position and would prefer Megatron remained absent, something [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] sought to frustrate. {{storylink|Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday}}

Upon his revival, Megatron resumed command, just long enough to kill [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]], beat [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] half to death, and be killed by [[Sam Witwicky]]. He was then dropped into the [[Laurentian Abyss]] almost immediately afterwards. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}} Starscream then assumed leadership of the Decepticons and began styling himself '''Lord''' Starscream. Although [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] and [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]] accepted Starscream without objection, Starscream was betrayed by [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] and [[Ramjet (Movie)|Ramjet]], shattering his faith in his leadership. {{storylink|Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream}} When [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] and the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'' reached Earth, Soundwave recognized Starscream as Decepticon commander, and Starscream's ambitions were renewed. {{storylink|Transformers: Alliance|Alliance}} However, a number of Decepticons were unsatisfied with Starscream, feeling he had not earned the right. As such, they began efforts to revive Megatron {{storylink|The Veiled Threat}} Starscream, meanwhile, discovered another obstacle to his role as true leader on Soundwave's ship... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1|Training Day}}

[[Image:Titan7_Soundwave_GO!.jpg|left|thumb|300px|]]

While Starscream was tending to the [[hatchling]]s on the ''Nemesis'' per the Fallen's decree, Soundwave commanded the Decepticons on Earth. First, he tried to track down lost Seekers to gain information and keep the Autobots from knowing about the Fallen's plans. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.6|Outlaw Blues}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.7|Turnabout}} Later, he had Megatron resurrected, which transferred command back to the big Meg.

When he returned to the ''Nemesis'', Megatron struck Starscream for his presumption of assuming command, saying that even in death, there was no command but Megatron's. This statement was slightly undermined by his next course of action, which to bow before the Fallen. Megatron was left in sole command following The Fallen's death at the hands of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

We know that other Decepticons have ''tried'' to become leaders of the main Decepticon faction, including [[Mainframe (Movie)|Mainframe]] {{storylink|Transformers: Rise of the Chevy Autobots}} and [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]], {{storylink|Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream}} but it rarely goes well. Following that mess with the Fallen, [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] decided to form his ''own'' group of Decepticons on Earth and lead that. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.13|Inside Out!}} In one timeline, [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] did the same thing. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 17|Return to Cybertron: Part 1}}

===Animated===
[[Image:AniMegsHead-TransformAndRollout.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Head master.]]

Styled '''Supreme Leader''', the title was held by [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] for over four million solar cycles, since the days of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. When Megatron was believed killed trying to secure the [[AllSpark]], [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] immediately nominated himself the new Supreme leader...no one took him seriously. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}

He finally ''did'' manage to get the Decepticons [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] and [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] to swear allegiance to him in exchange for repairs. {{storylink|Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found}} This was also short-lived, as Lugnut was really taking orders from the disembodied head of Megatron. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}} After his restoration, the Decepticons repledged their loyalty to Megatron, who decided to reinforce it by seriously damaging Starscream. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2}}

When Megatron was absent yet again, [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] was seen giving orders to [[Strika (Animated)|group commander Strika]]. However, rather than taking full command, his orders were to wait until Megatron came back (much to Strika's frustration). {{storylink|TransWarped}}

===Shattered Glass===
[[Image:Shatteredglassmegatrondecepticons.jpg|left|250px|thumb|]]

Unlike previous incarnations, the leader of the Decepticons is a heroic resistance leader, intending to free Cybertron from the Autobots and save the galaxy from their evil ways. [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]] stands as their current leader, and it seems that [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] will be a [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|successor]] rather than a usurper.

{{-}}
===Aligned===
====''Exodus''====
In an act of keeping his enemies closer than his friends, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] appointed his surgeon [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] to be his lieutenant despite his belief the scientist would eventually betray him. Megatron's movement was fairly disparate in the beginning, consisting of his [[Gladiatorial combat|gladiators]] in his employ and followers across Cybertron who listened to his teachings on the [[Communication Grid]]. Megatron was aware his followers were going to resort to terrorism, but did nothing to improve his reputation by distancing himself from their extremism. In fact, he accepted the gift of a kidnapped [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]] by the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]]. Already plotting to usurp Megatron's position as Cybertron's would-be savior, but patient enough to recognize how the revolution could turn sour, Starscream allied himself with Megatron but remained officially [[neutral]], occupying [[Moonbase One|Moon Base One]] and [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] for himself.

During the civil war, Starscream's Seekers only aided the Decepticons in some battles. Shockwave engaged in some power politics with the Seekers by taking control of [[Tarn]] and [[Vos]] and secretly assassinating the neutral Air Commanders there. When [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] discovered Trypticon was a hoard of [[Dark Energon]], Megatron's gladiators brutally took control of the station, even forcing Starscream to subject two of his scientists to experimentation with the chaotic substance. Soon, Starscream, tired of Megatron's tactics and ashamed of their use of Dark Energon, released Sentinel from his [[Kaon]]ian dungeon to kill Megatron, having been informed by [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] that all he sought was a just peace should something "happen" to Megatron. Sentinel failed, and Starscream fought Megatron and [[Blackout (WFC)|Blackout]] for the [[Code Key]]s to [[Teletraan-1]], but was beaten and only spared as Megatron found him too useful to die. Megatron certainly considered Starscream elite enough to take him aboard the ''Nemesis'', leaving Shockwave behind to lead the Cybertronian Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus}}

====''War for Cybertron''====
Starscream attempted to claim leadership of the Decepticons when Megatron was believed to be killed by [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]]. Somehow alive, Megatron lambasted him through a communications line, and threatened to kill him and any other cowards trying to flee from Omega. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

====''Prime''====
Starscream generally leads the Decepticons in the present because Megatron is too busy being absent while searching for Dark Energon or being comatose. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} When Megatron was presumed killed in the [[space bridge]] explosion, Starscream immediately named himself the new leader. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}} Regardless, the [[Vehicon (Prime)|troops]] won't take him seriously as a full-time [[Emperor of Destruction]]. When Starscream attempted to hide Megatron's survival of the explosion, Soundwave's [[Deployer (Prime)|Deployer]] ensured he would bring his body back to sickbay. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} Starscream and [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] conspired to keep Megatron offline, but an unforeseen chain of events led to his return, and Megatron pummeled Starscream nearly to death for trying to kill him. {{storylink|Sick Mind}} {{storylink|Out of His Head}}

==Notes==
*Unlike the [[Autobot leader]], for whom a number of titles are available depending on continuity, the Decepticon leader has no "official name".

==See also==
*[[Emperor of Destruction]]
*[[Lord High Protector]]
*[[Air Commander]]
*[[Liege Maximo]]

[[Category:Decepticon leaders| ]]
[[Category:Ranks]]