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Predaking (G1)

2009-04-29T20:46:47Z

90.214.41.11: /* Robot Heroes */

{{factions|decepticon}}
:''Predaking is a [[Decepticon]] [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Predakingg1.jpg|right|350px|thumb|Sucks to be Defensor and Superion... and every Autobot combiner ever.]]
'''Predaking''' is the ferocious fusion of all five of the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]: [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]], [[Headstrong]], [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]], [[Tantrum]], and team leader [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]]. Predaking is highly unusual, perhaps even unique, among [[Combiner|combiners]] by the successful fusion of each of his component elements' physical abilities and personalities. Most others of his kind are rendered [[Devastator (G1)|stupid]], [[Bruticus (G1)|suggestible]], or borderline [[Menasor (G1)|insane]] by the merging of minds, but the five Predacons are united by their shared love of the hunt, and produce a single complete persona. Between his physical prowess, unexpected mental acuity, and animalistic, almost instinct-fast hunting actions, Predaking is one of the most dangerous and intimidating weapons ever added to the Decepticon ranks. [[Victor Caroli|As a weapon he is without equal; as a warrior he is without restraint. He can lift one million tons without straining a circuit]]. When Predaking is on your trail, all hope is lost.

Unless your name is [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]].

{{bigquote|Predaking has the power! He needs nothing more!|—Predaking has the power to survive, "[[Nightmare Planet]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1===
====Cartoon continuity====
:''Voice Actor:'' [[Bud Davis]] (English), [[Tomomichi Nishimura]] (Japanese), [[Edgar Fruitier]] (French (Canada))

[[Image:Predaking primatives.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Schrödinger's Cel: Simultaneously well-drawn and poorly-drawn.]]
Predaking first saw action during the short-lived Decepticon-[[Quintesson]] alliance in the year 2005. The Predacons attempted to prevent [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], the human [[Marissa Faireborn]] and the magnificent [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] from escaping Jupiter's moon of [[Io]] with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[transformation cog]]. When the individual Predacons failed, they merged into Predaking, but were quickly defeated by Sky Lynx. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

Soon afterward, the Decepticons took over the slave mining planet of [[Dread]], forcing the halpess prisoners to mine the super-hard [[Death crystal|death crystals]] in a scheme by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] to destroy Cybertron with a giant death-crystal firing cannon. When several slaves were frightened out of the mine by the monster [[Chaos (alien)|Chaos]], Predaking swooped down to recapture the escapees. Later, during an Autobot attack that saw Sky Lynx buried under tons of rock, Predaking separated Blurr, [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], Wheelie and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] from [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] by blocking off the mine entrace with his laser sword. He continued to force the Autobots back to Sky Lynx (who had managed to escape the landslide) while shrugging off their laser fire. Meanwhile, Kup lured Chaos out of the volcano, causing another landslide that this time buried Predaking under tons of rock. {{storylink|Chaos (episode)|Chaos}}

During an assassination attempt on the Autobots, the Predacons formed Predaking right before the Quintessons unleashed a nightmare effect on the Transformers. They were all confronted with solidified dream images taken from the mind of [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]]. Predaking was quickly overpowered by the creatures and, after he split up, a dragon kidnapped Razorclaw to a distant castle, leaving the Predacons unable to combine again. After the dream-inducer was destroyed and the Predacons were reunited, Razorclaw was ready to resume the battle with the Autobots and ordered the transformation into Predaking. Unfortunately, Headstrong's leg had been injured fighting a giant dream Galvatron, and he was unable to join into their combined form. Without the might of Predaking, the Predacons chose to flee. {{storylink|Nightmare Planet|Nightmare Planet}}

Predaking was patroling space when he picked up on a Quintesson transmission. Tracing it to a jungle-like planet, he split into his component parts to locate the source of the signal more easily. Once Sky Lynx and the Autobots beat the Predacons to the transmitting journal canister, they reformed as Predaking to renew their vendetta against Sky Lynx. Galvatron and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] soon joined Predaking, but his interest in revenge on Sky Lynx outmatched their interest in the journal, and Galvatron had to remind Predaking repeatedly and forcefully to keep his mind(s) on the mission. {{storylink|The Quintesson Journal|The Quintesson Journal}} Later on, Predaking fought alongside Galvatron and the Decepticons in Europe, but soon vanished before the whole "[[Ultimate Weapon]]" scheme was finished. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon|The Ultimate Weapon}}

On [[Earth]]'s [[Moon (moon)|moon]], Predaking fought alongside the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]] combiner [[Abominus]] until they, along with the other "primitive" animal-based Transformers, were called away by [[Oracle (G1)|Primacron's Assistant]]. They were led to an ancient world, in the hopes their primitive instincts would defeat [[Primacron]]'s latest creation, the energy-draining [[Tornedron]]. After the defeated [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s corpse seemingly crushed Grimlock, the primitives split up and ran for their lives. The Predacons continued to run until Headstrong declared he would rather stand and fight than die running. Concurring, his fellow Predacons merged with him to form Predaking, but were quickly put into stasis lock by Tornedron. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives|Call of the Primitives}}

As part of a series of Decepticon attacks on [[Japan]], Predaking and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] pursued [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] in the Sea of Japan. He was later part of the strike force led by the Matrix-possessed [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

After the [[Hate Plague]] spread throughout the galaxy, Predaking was seen hunting down Galvatron with Scourge and Cyclonus. How robots infected with homicidal madness could work together as a hunting party, much less share a combined form, is anybody's guess. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

=====''The Transformers'' comic=====
During an attack on the planet [[Feminia]], Predaking suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the [[Omnibot|Omnibots]]. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Transformers issue 5}}

=====''Transformers 2010'' story pages=====
The precise origins of the animated Predacons are never divulged in the series, with them simply appearing in ''[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]'' with no explanation. A [[TV Magazine]] [[story page]] later made the claim that Predaking was built through cooperation between the Decepticons and the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]], although whether or not that was the original intention of the American series writers is unknown.

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
Predaking showed up a few times, usually just long enough for him to get beat up by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]].

Oh, and one time [[Pointblank]] downed him with ONE SHOT.

====''Zone'' OVA and manga====
:''Voice Actor:'' [[Yukimasa Kishino]] (Japan)

[[Image:PredakingZone1.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Stupidest. Head. EVER.]]
[[Image:PredaBrain1.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Now that's what I call a splitting headache!]]
Predaking was selected by [[Violen Jiger]] as one of his [[Nine Great Demon Generals]]. Given the rank of Beast General and gifted with new weaponry and armor, Violen Jiger sent Predaking to [[Earth]] to steal the [[Zodiac]] before the Autobots could get it.

He failed, however, and after seeing the likes of [[King Poseidon]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] get killed in battle, attempted to escape. His escape was thwarted by [[Dai Atlas]], who sliced him into two from head to crotch, exposing his vaguely organic-looking brain and killing the Decepticon. {{storylink|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!}}

{{-}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{note|Events from the [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|UK-only]] comic stories are in italics.}}
''Predaking's first outing on [[Earth]] was in the course of a hunt by the Predacons against the [[Autobot]] leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. Prime having foiled the Predacons' initial attacks individually, they merged into Predaking and resumed the chase. Essentially Predaking's role in that hunt concluded once he had flushed Prime out into the open and worn him down, thus rendering him vulnerable to the attack of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. The Predacons returned over the [[Space Bridge]] to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].''

Predaking's ''next'' foray on Earth was part of a scheme by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] to destabilise Megatron's sanity to such an extent that the way would be clear for Shockwave to take command. Shockwave supplied fake [[Insignia|Autobrands]] to the Predacons (and thus Predaking by extension) and the Predacons ambushed Megatron in the swamps of Florida. ''Megatron did not recall who the Predacons were thanks to a bout of amnesia connected to his earlier involvement with them.'' The Predacons had similar difficulties subduing Megatron in their individual forms and merged to become Predaking. Predaking fared little better against Megatron and was rendered unconscious by a blast from the deranged Decepticon's [[fusion cannon]]. {{storylink|Gone But Not Forgotten!|Gone But Not Forgotten!}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Eons ago, the Predacons were banished from Cybertron to [[Beest]], where their higher functions degraded, rendering them feral. Megatron, who had been overthrown by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (well, thrown out of a shuttle), tracked down the Predacons, then modified them to become combiners, creating Predaking. {{storylink|Welcome to the Jungle|Welcome to the Jungle}}

[[Image:Predaking Combaticons screwed.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Starscream thanks Primus he had the sense to finish his will this morning.]]
Starscream and his [[Combaticon|Combaticons]] were in training (with Sky Lynx of all people as a target) when Predaking suddenly arose from the sea, seeking to capture the treacherous Decepticon [[Air Commander]]. The Combaticons quickly formed into (the much-less intelligent) [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] and counter-attacked by destroying Predaking's shoulder-mounted guns. Forced back, Predaking quickly put down his opponent by firing one of his foot cannons at Bruticus' head, blasting off part of his face.

When Starscream fled, lamenting Bruticus' latest defeat, Predaking attempted to follow until Bruticus crushed one of his wings and threw him onto the island. Damaged, but not defeated, Predaking easily dodged the slow-witted Combaticon combiner's rifle blast, then erected a defensive energy field around himself to deflect the follow-up shot. As Bruticus pondered a possible rifle malfunction, Predaking punched his rival in the face with a spiked knuckle, then impaled the crippled Bruticus upon Headstrong's horn, finally deactivating the Combaticons.

This was the first time he won a fight. And it was against another fellow [[Decepticon]]. Oh well, better than nothing. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil|The Route of All Evil}}

{{-}}

===The Beast Within===
For the first time in comic book history, Predaking is completely and totally owned. Except, you know, all those other times. Predaking would like you to ignore those. And this one too, come to think of it. {{storylink|The Beast Within|The Beast Within}}

===Devil's Due Continuity===
The Predacons and Seacons got into a territorial argument after Megatron's death, which led to a face off between Predaking and Piranacon. Predaking emerged the victor but was stopped by [[Serpent O.R.]] before he could finish the aquatic combiner off.

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
* '''Predaking''' (1986, 2004)
*''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-78'''

[[Image:G1 Predaking toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Former toy-collecting holy grail.]]
:Predaking is, by far, the largest of the traditional central component-leader-type combiner toys. He is formed by combining all five Predacons together. Unlike the Scramble City-style toys such as [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] or [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], Predaking's arms and legs are not interchangeable. Razorclaw's [[sonic sword]] and beast mode cannon serve as Predaking's primary weapons, with Tantrum and Headstrong's back-mounted cannons as his feet.

:Like Defensor and Bruticus, Predaking's components were released in both plastic and metal versions. Japan only received the plastic versions during the original run of the ''Generation 1'' toyline.

:Hasbro only released the individual Predacons, but a [[giftset]] was available in Japan. In late 2004, Predaking was reissued to much rejoicing of people who could not afford the after market prices on a vintage piece. This reissue used metal parts, and the pieces that were originally soft plastic were now hard plastic.

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===Titanium Series===
* '''Predaking''' (3" Robot Masters, 2006)
*''Accessories:'' Display stand, sword

[[Image:Titanium Predaking.jpg|right|135px|thumb|Squattie]]
:As part of the ''Titanium'' series 3" line, Predaking is constructed of mostly [[die-cast]] metal and plastic parts, but cannot transform and has very limited articulation. His sculpt and colour scheme is based upon the original G1 toy, but has Rampage and Divebomb occupying each other's positions, like the cartoon and comic model.
{{-}}

===Robot Heroes===
*'''Ricochet vs Predaking''' (2-pack, 2009)

[[Image:Robotheroesricochetpredaking.jpg|right|300px|thumb|As if Predaking could get any cuter. Valiant effort, though.]]
A two-pack with [[Ricochet (G1 Autobot)|Ricochet]].

The US release of this two-pack has been cancelled, but it has been found in Singapore, Germany and the UK.
{{-}}

==Trivia==
*Predaking was designed by toy and anime mechanical designer [[Akitaka Mika]]<ref>[http://www.ex.org/ex/3.4/09-feature_akitaka2.html Interview with Akitaka Mika]</ref>, and was the only one of his proposed designs to actually be produced as a toy. This possibly explains why the Predacons do not conform to the then-contemporary [[Scramble City]] style of combining.

*A Predaking [[Action Master]] was planned at one point, but apparently went no further than a concept sketch. It was intended to be the included rider of a transforming dirt bike<ref> [[Transformers Generations Deluxe]], p111</ref>. While Predaking was scrapped, the bike was refined and included with the Action Master [[Axer]].

*Incidentally, the aforementioned concept art was found in an [http://www.worlds-worst.com/worldsworst/wwnp_article.php?69 Arby's parking lot] after the end of [[BotCon 2000]], where it had presumably come unstowed.

==Footnotes==
<references />
{{-}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Predaking/predaking.htm Predaking at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Predaking Predaking's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combined forms]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category:Masterforce characters]]
[[Category:Predacons]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:Zone characters]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]

Ricochet (Headmasters)

2009-04-29T20:43:50Z

90.214.41.11: /* Robot Heroes */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Ricochet}}
:''Ricochet is an [[Autobot]] from the [[The Headmasters (franchise)|Headmasters]] portion of the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Ricochetdoesnthavemuchart.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] gets pimped.]]
'''Ricochet''''s function is Rapid-Fire Attack, and he's well suited to it. He is the most accurate marksman the Autobots have and a [[Targetmaster]]
as well, further augmenting his incredible skill. Unfortunately he's
also quick-tempered and very easily provoked. This leads to him having
a hard time maintaining friendly relations or even conversations with
his teammates. In his favor, Ricochet has an uncommonly strong sense of
justice (exactly twice as strong as the ordinary Autobot).

His Targetmaster partner is [[Nightstick (Ricochet)|Nightstick]].

:''Japanese name:'' '''Stepper'''

==Fiction==
===Japanese comic continuity===
====''The Headmasters'' comic====
Ricochet accompanied [[Artfire]], [[Chromedome]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] in responding to a building fire. While the Autobots attempted to rescue people and put out the flames, the [[Decepticon]] Targetmasters attacked. However, the arrival of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], who dropped [[fire-retardant foam]]
on the buildings in starship mode, gave the two Autobot Targetmasters
the chance they needed to combine with their gun-partners and send the
Decepticons flying away uncontrollably. {{storylink|The Headmasters issue 7|The Headmasters issue 7}}

====Transformers Collection reissue bio====
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Ricochet often had marksmanship contests with his friends [[Fusion (Autobot)|Fusion]] and [[Bluestreak]].
(It's anyone's guess how the hot-tempered Ricochet, who couldn't
maintain friendly conversations with other Autobots, could be pals with
the chatterbox Bluestreak.)

Ricochet's metabolic functions were damaged in an unspecified "incident." Nightstick, an engineer on the planet [[Master]], volunteered to help him by undergoing a unique form of [[binary bonding]].
While ostensibly becoming a Targetmaster, Nightstick's gun mode wasn't
merely hand-held. He instead plugged into Ricochet's robot-mode back,
serving as a life-support system.

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Though he was never activated, Ricochet was apparently one of several [[Cloning|clones]] created by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in the same program that produced [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]. {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons|Night of the Combaticons}}

{{note|This origin is at odds with what little else we know about Ricochet. Of course, [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] wasn't a clone in most stories either...}}
==Toys==
===The Headmasters===
[[Image:G1Stepper toy.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Former holy grail.]]
*'''Stepper''' (Targetmaster, 1987)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-109'''
**''Accessories:'' "Nebulon" Targetmaster partner, gun mount backpack

: A [[retool]] and [[redeco]] of the 1984 Autobot [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], Stepper transforms into a 1976 Porsche 935 Turbo sports car. As a [[Targetmaster]], he came with a smaller partner robot named [[Nebulon (Autobot)|Nebulon]]. In gun mode, Nebulon could peg into Stepper's car mode spoiler, or could attach to a separate bracket that mounted over his robot-mode shoulder. Stepper did not come with any of Jazz's accessories.

: As a late addition to the Japanese ''Headmasters'' series (he was a tail-ender release and was unlikely to have been on shelves for very long as stores would reset for the new [[Super-God Masterforce (toyline)|''Super-God Masterforce'' toyline]]) and one of the earliest Japanese-only Transformers, though Stepper was not ''particularly'' rare, he was perceived as such in the West. As such, for several years Stepper commanded top dollar on the secondary market... until the reissue (see below) pretty much iced that.

{{-}}
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1 Stepper reissue.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Modern heavily-discounted shelfwarmer.]]
*'''Ricochet w/ Nightstick''' (2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TFC-15'''
**''Accessories:'' "Nightstick/Nebulon" Targetmaster partner, gun mount backpack, rifle, missile launcher backpack, 3 missiles

: Announced first by [[Hasbro]] but released almost simultaneously by both Hasbro and [[Takara]], Stepper (now called Ricochet for his Hasbro debut) was released through Toys "R" Us in the United States in ''[[Commemorative Series]]'' IX, and as part of Takara's ''[[Transformers Collection|T/F Collection]]'' reissue series. His arsenal was bolstered by the addition of Jazz's weapons, chromed gold for the Takara version, and solid black plastic for the Hasbro release. Additionally, Nightstick was retooled with a slender peg extension to allow Ricochet to actually hold him in his hand as well as changing the plastic clasp that held his legs in (this part was easily broken) to the more sturdy pin and solid plastic holder.

: Amusingly enough, neither version sold all that well, and in the United States was eventually sent to the "closeout" chain Tuesday Morning, where he could be purchased for $8 (original TRU price: $35). Japan saw similar clearance sales on the piece.

===Alternators===
[[Image:Alternators Ricochet toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Sadly, Ricochet's brilliant plan to score fembots by becoming a lifeguard failed miserably.]]
*'''Ricochet''' (Alternator, 2006)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''20'''
**''Accessories:'' Intercooler/gun

: A late-run [[Alternator]], Ricochet is a [[redeco]] of the Subaru Impreza WRX mold used to make [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]]. He features opening doors, hood and trunk, has a detailed interior, and his intercooler becomes a hand-held (non-firing) weapon. He is one of the few Alternators with a state-specific license plate; Ricochet is registered in New Jersey. With his attitude, he'll fit right in.

: Though publicity photography give Ricochet a fully-gold face, for unknown reasons the final product's nose was white. Contrary to popular belief, it was not left unpainted, as his head is made out of black plastic.

: This mold was retooled to make [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]].

==Merchandise==
===Robot Heroes===
*'''Ricochet vs Predaking''' (2-pack, 2009)

[[Image:Robotheroesricochetpredaking.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Finally, someone to redeco every Jazz into.]]
A two-pack with [[Predaking]].

The US release of this two-pack has been cancelled, but it has been found in Singapore, Germany and the UK.
{{-}}

==Trivia==
*Stepper and Artfire's Targetmaster partners' names were switched from their [[Nightstick (Decepticon)|English-language]] [[Fracas|counterparts]]. There has been some speculation among fans that "Stepper" and "Artfire" may have been switched as well; this is fueled by the fact that the ''[[Robots in Disguise]]'' Ricochet homage [[Hot Shot (RID)|Hot Shot]]'s Japanese name was Artfire, not Stepper.

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/1987/Cybertron/Stepper/stepper.htm Ricochet at TFU.info]
* [http://www.tfarchive.com/comics/japanese/trans296.php Headmasters #7 translated in English]

[[Category:Alternators]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]