Decepticon leader

Whoever wins, we lose.

Among the Decepticons, there is one guiding principle: [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Kratocracy|{{#if:rule of the strong|rule of the strong|Kratocracy}}]]. Whereas the leader of the Autobots 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 how many Decepticons think they qualify.

{{#if:Megatron on the nature of power"More than Meets the Eye, Part 1"|
“ Starscream... only a select few ever lead. ”
{{#if:Megatron on the nature of power|

—Megatron on the nature of power{{#if:"More than Meets the Eye, Part 1"|, "More than Meets the Eye, Part 1"}}

}}

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Fiction

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Generation 1 continuity family

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Marvel Comics continuity

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Marvel The Transformers comics
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Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.
First...
...and the worst.

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 volcano on Earth. The Transformers In his absence, the War-Lord Trannis took control of the Decepticon army. Trannis conquered most of Cybertron and destroyed 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 made plans to oust him, but the Wreckers beat them to it when they assassinated him. He was succeeded by the more relentless Straxus. Cybertron: The Middle Years! Straxus became "Lord High Governor of Polyhex". 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. The Transformers Starscream would briefly try to nick his job and failed miserably. The Enemy Within!

"Now, I am the le-"
"...never mind."

When Megatron was defeated shortly after the Decepticons reactivated, Military Operations Commander Shockwave defeated the Autobots The Last Stand and usurped Megatron, reducing Megatron to second-in-command. The New Order Megatron was soon defeated by the Dinobots and went missing for a time. Repeat Performance! Shockwave was then, himself, beaten and briefly stuck in a swamp. Prime Time! Soundwave took command in their absence Crisis of Command! and scored a major victory. Dinobot Hunt! Megatron returned 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; Second Generation! the two agreed to joint leadership, The Bridge to Nowhere! until Megatron was able to use logic to convince Shockwave to give him full leadership. 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 The Bridge to Nowhere! and was reduced to a floating head. ...The Harder They Die! On Earth, Megatron's growing paranoia caused Shockwave and Soundwave to try removing him; 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 (sort of). Resurrection! With Straxus dead, fuel auditor Ratbat ascended to de facto command of Cybertron. King of the Hill! Still, an unseen Decepticon Imperial Headquarters would give him marching orders. Club Con!

Now I am the true lead-

After seemingly killing Optimus Prime, Megatron went mad and apparently killed himself, allowing Shockwave to assume full leadership of the Earth-bound Decepticons again. Gone but Not Forgotten! The Earth-bound Decepticons coordinated with Ratbat. 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. Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom Following a massive cock-up by Shockwave that undermined his authority, Enemy Action! Ratbat oversaw several Earth operations directly. Toy Soldiers!

While this was going on, the Decepticon Scorponok took his unit to follow Fortress Maximus to Nebulos, where he underwent binary bonding with Zarak. Following Fortress Maximus to Earth, Scorponok operated independently from Shockwave and Ratbat, leading his own troops. Headmasters

Shockwave went missing in action and Ratbat, happily letting this happen to Shockers, became commander of Earth's Decepticons. The Desert Island of Space! Scorponok, meanwhile, was operating his own faction on Earth. Trial by Fire! Shockwave set up shop with a small third faction in Fortress Sinister, Salvage! but he'd eventually lose his men as he went mad. Time Wars Eventually, Scorponok and Ratbat met up... and had a big punch-up, thanks to manipulation by Starscream 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. Dark Star

WE ARE THE LEADERS!
No, We are.

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

FINISH HIM!

With Unicron fast approaching Cybertron, Optimus Prime made the decision to surrender to Scorponok, in return for allying with the Autobots against Unicron. Surrender! Scorponok planned to betray Prime, but Zarak later agreed to the alliance. 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. ...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. Out of Time!

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.

During the battle with Unicron, Optimus Prime and Scorponok were both killed. On the Edge of Extinction! As Shockwave and Starscream fled the dying Cybertron, A Savage Circle Bludgeon was acclaimed Decepticon leader by the surviving Decepticons. Exodus! He led the Decepticons in the conquest of Klo, 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. End of the Road!

Shockwave, meanwhile, had hijacked the Ark alongside Starscream with the intention of using it to conquer Earth. Still Life! He didn't count on 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. 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. 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. Trigger-Happy!

Marvel UK future timelines
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Everyone would follow a bore like him!

Scorponok, Shockwave, and Megatron had a three-way civil war for Decepticon leadership; Megatron won. Aspects of Evil! In 2006, Megatron was transformed into Galvatron (ending an attempt by Starscream to seize leadership) Target: 2006 and would later escape by time travel. 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 always been commander since 2006.

Earthforce
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These stories do not fit into the normal Marvel continuity. See Earthforce for details.

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

The Autobots sabotaged any attempt to stop the leadership conflict. The Bad Guy's Ball! Eventually, Starscream and Soundwave deposed Megatron and Shockwave, uniting the two factions as joint Decepticon leaders. 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. External Forces!

Another Time & Place
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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. Another Time & Place

Marvel Generation 2 comic
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Bludgeon led his forces back into battle, arming his army in preparation for a major strike. Old Evils Ghosts Upon his return, Megatron challenged Bludgeon for leadership of the Decepticons and after a fierce battle, Megatron emerged victorious. Tales of Earth Part Two

Classics
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Classics continues from the Marvel US series, and does not include the UK stories or any subsequently published stories.

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. At Fight's End

Regeneration One
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Regeneration One continues from the Marvel US series, and does not include the UK stories or any subsequently published stories.
Not bad for an uncharismatic bore.

Soundwave led a faction of "Neo-Decepticons" on Cybertron. As their first strike against the ruling Autobots, they hacked into the planet's orbital defence satellite network and used one to destroy the Last Autobot. Counterpoint

Well Megatron, most people try not to bother you when you're on the toilet.

Despite the Neo-Decepticons' repeated attempts to disrupt the peace on Cybertron, Kup and the Wreckers considered the extant Decepticon leaders Bludgeon, Galvatron and Megatron to be the greater threat and—against Optimus Prime's explicit orders—departed for Earth to track down Megatron. Loose Ends, Part 1 Left alone on Earth for twenty-one years, Megatron had recovered the dead bodies of those Decepticons (and a few Autobots) who had fallen in the Underbase Saga and reanimated them as lobotomised zombies, including his former second-in-command, the treacherous Starscream, and former Decepticon leader Ratbat. Loose Ends, Part 2 When Optimus Prime left Cybertron to deal with Megatron, Soundwave established contact with Bludgeon, leader of his own band of Decepticons, informing him that the planet was vulnerable. Loose Ends, Part 3 The two planned to recover the Matrix-infused body of Thunderwing, yet another former Decepticon leader, from the Hall of Silence. Loose Ends, Part 4 Meanwhile, on Earth, Optimus Prime put an end to Megatron once and for all but at the same time still yet another former Decepticon leader, the resurrected Scorponok, surfaced on Nebulos. Loose Ends, Part 5

While Soundwave was offplanet delivering Thunderwing's remains to Bludgeon, Scorponok arrived on Cybertron with his Gene Key, a device capable of turning Autobots into Decepticons. At Fort Scyk, he took control of Soundwave's troops and pressed them into service to carry out his grand plan for complete control of Cybertron. Natural Selection, Part Three However, he underestimated his forced accomplice Grimlock and was ultimately undone, plunging to his doom in the Sonic Canyons. Natural Selection, Part Five

Taking advantage of the chaos of Scorponok's attempted takeover, Soundwave began a campaign of low-level terror, keeping the planet's population agitated while he and Bludgeon used Thunderwing's Matrix energy to give life to Bludgeon's latest warriors, the fearsome Blitz Engines. Destiny, Part Two From the Warworld above Cybertron, Bludgeon unleashed a devastating attack on the Autobots while Soundwave co-ordinated efforts on the ground. However, after setting Monstructor on Omega Supreme, Soundwave found his path blocked by Blaster. Destiny, Part Four As Soundwave was beaten in sonic combat by his rival audiosmith, Bludgeon was bested by the newly minted Rodimus Prime and thrown from the Warworld to the planet's surface below. Destiny, Part Five

Bludgeon survived the fall, and both he and Soundwave were incarcerated by the Autobots, leaving any Decepticons still at large seemingly leaderless. The War to End All Wars, Part 1

Transformers '84
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While Megatron was the leader of the Decepticons, his increasing obsession with Optimus Prime instead of guiding the Decepticons toward galactic conquest caused Shockwave to decide that he needed to be removed from power. Secrets & Lies #1 Nominating himself as the worthy successor, but forced to be aboard the Nemesis, Shockwave had Counterpunch put Straxus in charge while he was out. While Megatron fell for Optimus Prime's trap and wound up trapped on Earth, Shockwave himself soon shared the fate when, as he took in Earth's rich resources, he was attacked and overpowered by the Dinobots. Secrets & Lies #2

With no singular leader, the Decepticon armies were divided under the rule of Scorponok, Thunderwing and Straxus. Having enjoyed a string of successes, the latter became convinced he was the de facto leader of the Decepticons, being ready to resume galactic conquest. Secrets & Lies #3

Generation 1 cartoon continuity

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The Transformers cartoon
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At first, the Decepticons were led by an old Decepticon who could not transform. When he lost the Second Cybertronian War against the Autobots, he was replaced with Megatron, who led the Decepticons to conquer much of Cybertron. Upon Megatron's and Optimus Prime's disappearances, the war on Cybertron entered a stalemate. Shockwave had been appointed Guardian of Cybertron in Megatron's absence, and became de facto Decepticon leader. More than Meets the Eye, Part 1 Once Megatron resumed contact with Cybertron, Shockwave resubmitted to his authority. Transport to Oblivion At one point, Megatron introduced himself to Skyfire, addressing himself as Supreme Leader. Fire in the Sky

Air Commander 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.

Visit Majestic Mount Deceptimore

Starscream eventually decided to get some help. He made plans with Blitzwing and Astrotrain to trap Megatron in a tunnel and freeze him. However, the 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 and Starscream, Megatron resumed leadership of the Decepticons. Triple Takeover

After being exiled for his treachery, Starscream recruited five Renegade Decepticons to become his Combaticons. Using their combined form of Bruticus, the group managed to force Megatron to acknowledge Starscream as the new leader. No sooner had the Seeker celebrated his victory was Bruticus immediately sucker-punched by Menasor. With the Combaticons dazed, Megatron took back command and banished the six traitors to an asteroid. Starscream's Brigade

Starscream quickly fell out with the Combaticons, flying off to Cybertron to make another power play for leadership. Having the same idea, the Combaticons managed to reach their homeworld first, managing to adjust the space bridge to move Earth into its sun, killing Megatron. Teaming up with Shockwave to reclaim Cybertron, Starscream called Megatron, promising to let the Earth burn unless he was crowned as Decepticon leader. Shockwave and Starscream's bickering though allowed the Combaticons to imprison the two. When the Autobots and Decepticons on Earth confirmed Starscream's threat, they followed to Cybertron. When freed, Starscream again attempted to extoll leadership from Megatron only to be cowed by his master's fusion cannon. The Revenge of Bruticus

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 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 reformatted into 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. 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 (who had been killed defending Cybertron), the Decepticons fell into a period of disunity, where they fought each other for scraps of energon. Cyclonus, Galvatron's second in command, took a leadership role but was unable to command anywhere near the same unquestioned obedience previous leaders had enjoyed. When he located Galvatron, he was forced to appeal to the other Decepticons rather than simply ordering them. The successful recovery of Galvatron galvanised the Decepticons, who were able to rebuild Chaar into something resembling a functional home despite their new leader being completely off his rocker. Five Faces of Darkness

Even death could not diminish Starscream's desire for the throne. Managing to persist as a ghost, Starscream managed to possess Cyclonus, bargaining with Rodimus Prime to turn over Galvatron so he could rule. Managing to extradite himself from the Autobot ambush, a very displeased Galvatron returned to once again prove himself Starscream's better. Starscream's Ghost

After Wildrider and Dead End managed to knock the Matrix of Leadership loose from Rodimus Prime, they brought it to Galvatron. Displeased with it, the tyrant ordered Scourge to dispose of it. Instead, the Sweep commander used the Matrix to enhance himself, overthrowing Galvatron and crowning himself leader. After Rodimus reclaimed the Matrix, a displeased Galvatron retook command. The Burden Hardest to Bear

Robotmasters
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After the disappearance of Megatron, the Decepticons were helmed by Starscream. However, a Megatron from another time challenged Starscream for leadership and won. Change in Command: The Usurper Decepticon

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

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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. 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 Predacons and Ultracons, respectively. War Within: The Dark Ages Megatron's return to Cybertron saw him resume command of the fragmented Decepticons. 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, who used his head to issue commands to Shockwave's troops, but Skystalker was defeated and Shockwave resumed command. Transformers: Micromasters

With the Great Shutdown, all Transformers entered a period of enforced stasis lock. Shockwave was reactivated by Unicron's herald 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 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 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. Prime Directive War and Peace

Meanwhile, Megatron was repaired by Wreck-Gar, and managed to locate a trio of Air Warriors he used to recruit the 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 made Soundwave, his cassettes, and the Seekers all too willing to mutiny against Starscream in favor of Megatron. Generation One

Dreamwave's 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.

2005 IDW continuity

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Megatron was the founder of the Decepticon political movement, first directing it with his samizdat writings Post Hoc before gradually turning it into an organised force led by him. Megatron Origin He was overthrown and banished by Scorponok early in the war after having lost his first duel with Optimus Prime. Derelicts Scorponok was an unpopular leader who showed no care for his troops and made poor use of Decepticon resources, but he was also powerful enough to rule by fear... until Megatron returned and beat him to a pulp, leaving him alive only because dead people can't feel pain. The Illusion of Control

After this, Megatron continued to reign without problem as most potential challengers, such as Starscream, were too piss-scared of him Infiltration #6 and even the idea of questioning him was a worry. Devastation #1 The Decepticon Justice Division, particularly Tarn, revered him as an almost divine figure. Rules of Disengagement While Megatron wanted Starscream to take over from him at some point, he would only allow it if Starscream was able to take command; All Hail Megatron #11 when Starscream attempted a rebellion, Megatron took his best shots and then crippled him, but left him alive. Infiltration #6 In contrast, when Ramjet attempted rebellion, Megatron beat him to death. Spotlight: Ramjet One exception to this was Deathsaurus, who grew disgusted with Megatron's seeming apathy towards the well-being of his troops, but rather than challenge Megatron directly he upped sticks and took his regiment out on their own. The Permanent Revolution

Prowl has noted with envy and annoyance that the Decepticons are far more unified than the Autobots. Everything in Its Right Place For example, the Wreckers effectively went AWOL during their pursuit of Squadron X Bullets while in comparison, semi-independent Decepticon warlord Skyquake immediately responded to Megatron's command to seize the Autobot prison Garrus-9. Last Stand of the Wreckers

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. 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 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. Uneasy Lies the Head Megatron was then rebuilt Altered Carbon, but Starscream kept his leadership (despite being so poor at it the Decepticons were forced to turn to cannibalism to survive) until he lost the Matrix to Hot Rod. Heart Like a Wheel

Megatron retained leadership until he went missing following the confrontation with the D-Void and the reformatting of Cybertron. Genesis Ratbat tried to claim control of the Decepticons in the post war era, but when he attempted to assassinate Bumblebee, Starscream tipped off the Autobots. Arcee killed Ratbat and captured the assassin, and Starscream stepped up to fill the role of representative of the Decepticons in Cybertron's leadership. The Autonomy Lesson The World & Everything in It Other Decepticons elsewhere in space would form small gangs under differing commanders Before & After while the Decepticon Justice Division refused to acknowledge that Megatron was MIA at all. Rules of Disengagement

After Starscream renounced membership in the Decepticons and with Megatron imprisoned, Soundwave claimed leadership of the remaining Decepticon forces. Shockpoint He remained in command until Megatron returned but, upon Megatron's defection to the hated Autobots, he reacted with outrage. Galvatron overheard Soundwave's words, and, impressed, joined the Decepticons, the warlord taking the role of Decepticon leader with Soundwave's support. ...And the Damage Done Meanwhile, out in deep space, Deathsaurus and Tarn had joined forces as joint leaders of their own, larger Decepticon army. The Permanent Revolution

Galvatron was eventually killed in battle by Optimus Prime, leaving Soundwave in command of the Decepticons on Earth. No Fair Fights After Megatron had slain the Decepticon Justice Division, Do Not Go Gentle Nickel took command of the Decepticons in space. Journey's End

When Onyx Prime returned to Cybertron, he revealed Soundwave's killing of Horri-Bull, turning the Decepticons against him. The Ground The leaderless faction then clashed with the Prime worshippers and hunted for Soundwave until they noticed Starscream and hesitantly asked him to resume command. Though Starscream was initially reluctant to do so, Endless Forever he ultimately agreed and led his army away to regroup to prepare for their next move. Unforgivable

Having ordered the formation of the Decepticon Vengeance Division, Stranger Eons Starscream's new leadership got off to a decent enough start before he, in a moment of panic that Soundwave telepathically spread to every Decepticon, suggested abandoning his followers to save himself from Unicron's destruction of Cybertron, souring his reputation, Our Finest even though he retained command. Assembly

In the final attack against Unicron, Starscream perished. Ceremony Having never appointed a second in command, the Decepticons were left without a clear leader in Starscream's absence, the faction seemingly dissolving in the new era of peace that followed. Post

2019 IDW continuity

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The Ascenticon movement had been founded by the great visionary Termagax but after she failed to enact the change she desired, she abandoned the party, leaving her apprentice Megatron to take command. The Change In Your Nature Part Three She later attempted to resume command after the movement, now rebranded as the Decepticons, had violently overthrown the Senate, only for Megatron to silence her with his fusion cannon. Awakenings

Last Bot Standing

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When Rodimus explained the Cybertronian race to Shib Wallkis, he remembered Galvatron leading the Decepticons in the Great War before the conflict finally drained the universe of its resources. Last Bot Standing #2

Energon Universe

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The spirits of past Decepticon leaders, such as Trannis and Straxus, were preserved within the Matrix of Oppression. Transformers #31

When the Decepticons were reactivated on Earth, Starscream became leader of the Decepticons in Megatron's absence. Transformers #1 After the Decepticons had lost the Ark, Soundwave, fed up with Starscream's failures as a leader, challenged the Air Commander for leadership. Emerging as the decisive victor, the rest of the Decepticons bowed to Soundwave. Transformers #7 Soundwave subsequently made contact with Shockwave on Cybertron, Transformers #8 who was leading the Decepticons there. Soundwave and Shockwave worked together as co-leaders for a time, though Shockwave seemed to be viewed as the superior. After Optimus Prime killed Shockwave, Transformers #12 the Decepticons fractured. Most fell back under Soundwave, but Astrotrain and the Combaticons were left behind, and fell under the returned Starscream, Transformers #14 who proved his worthiness to lead by having Brawl repaired instead of himself. Transformers #15 This led to a full-on Decepticon civil war between Soundwave and Starscream, that only ended when Megatron returned and unquestionably reassumed command. Transformers #18

Live-action film series

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"It's funny how 'leading' looks a lot like sitting on your arse."

Originally styled High Protector of Cybertron, Megatron amended his title to Lord High Protector upon forming the Decepticons. Defiance 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. Revenge of the Fallen 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 to find a Star Harvester. Defiance During his absence while searching for the AllSpark, Starscream assumed command as Decepticon leader, though he grew quite comfortable with the position and would prefer Megatron remained absent, something Blackout sought to frustrate. Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday

Upon his revival, Megatron resumed command, just long enough to kill Jazz, beat Optimus Prime half to death, and be killed by Sam Witwicky. He was then dropped into the Laurentian Abyss almost immediately afterwards. Transformers Starscream then assumed leadership of the Decepticons and began styling himself Lord Starscream. Although Barricade and Thundercracker accepted Starscream without objection, Starscream was betrayed by Dreadwing and Ramjet, shattering his faith in his leadership. The Reign of Starscream When Soundwave and the Nemesis reached Earth, Soundwave recognized Starscream as Decepticon commander, and Starscream's ambitions were renewed. 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 The Veiled Threat Starscream, meanwhile, discovered another obstacle to his role as true leader on Soundwave's ship... Training Day

While Starscream was tending to the hatchlings 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. Outlaw Blues 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. Revenge of the Fallen

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

After the battle in Egypt, Megatron continued to lead the Decepticons. The former Autobot Sentinel Prime would later defect to the Decepticons. Sentinel and Megatron agreed to a joint leadership until Sentinel Prime took complete control during the Battle of Chicago. Megatron later reclaimed his leadership, but his reign was short lived as Optimus Prime took both Sentinel and Megatron's lives. Starscream, Soundwave, and Shockwave also perished during the battle of Chicago, leaving the surviving Decepticons completely leaderless. Dark of the Moon

Megatron had secretly survived his injuries and manipulated a human corporation called KSI into creating a new body for him. Megatron transferred his consciousness into the new body and was reincarnated as Galvatron. Galvatron took control of KSI's drones and enacted a plan to destroy Hong Kong and use it as raw materials to build more drones. Ultimately, the plan failed and most, if not all of the drones were destroyed. Galvatron escaped the carnage and departed to parts unknown. Age of Extinction

Galvatron went missing for years with no leader emerging in his place causing the Decepticons fell into disarray. At some point, Galvatron reverted to his Megatron identity and reclaimed leadership of the Decepticons. The Last Knight

Animated cartoon

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Head master.

Styled Supreme Leader, the first known Decepticon leader was Megazarak who was exiled by Megatron in the early days of the faction. As leader, Megatron led the Decepticons into Great War, signing the Tyrest Accord upon their defeat and accepting exile from Cybertronian space. The AllSpark Almanac II

In the latter half of the 21st century, Megatron discovered the missing AllSpark and made an attempt to retrieve it only to seemingly perish.Starscream immediately nominated himself the new Supreme Leader but no one took him seriously. Transform and Roll Out

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

Using a tachyon transmitter, Megatron rallied the Decepticons once again, Mission Accomplished and prepared to lead an invasion of Cybertron from within, using a reverse engineered space bridge, only for Autobot intervention to warp him into deep space. A Bridge Too Close, Part II In the aftermath of this, Shockwave took command, communicating with group commander Strika but adhered to his previous orders from Megatron to wait for his leader's arrival. After securing transport, and being informed that space bridging onto Cybertron was no longer a viable option, Megatron reassumed command and ordered all Decepticons to stand down until he issued further commands. TransWarped

Shattered Glass

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Fun Publications Shattered Glass continuity

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Megatron founded the Decepticons when he noticed that all mathematical trends pointed to civil war, leading them against Optimus Prime's tyrannical ambitions. Shattered Glass

After an assassination attempt by Cyclonus had left him grievously wounded, Megatron was rebuilt as Galvatron yet retained command. Reunification: Part 6 The Coming Storm: Part 1 After a series of cosmic events had led to the Decepticons allying with the heroic Autobots of Cliffjumper's native reality, Galvatron continued to represent his people in the joint Autobot/Decepticon government. Divination

IDW Shattered Glass comic

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Megatron founded the Decepticons as a civil rights group against the political corruption of the Senate, later leading them in the Great War against the Autobots. When the conflict spread to Earth, Megatron stayed behind to fight a sacrificial delaying action, entrusting command of the Decepticons to Starscream who led them back to Cybertron. Though Megatron managed to survive and follow, he exiled himself to the wilderness. After Starscream had found a way to revive Metroplex, he sought out Megatron and returned command to him. Shattered Glass #2

Aligned

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Aligned novels

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In an act of keeping his enemies closer than his friends, Megatron appointed his surgeon 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 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 Prime by the Seeker 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 Moon Base One and 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 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 Kaonian dungeon to kill Megatron, having been informed by Optimus Prime that all he sought was a just peace should something "happen" to Megatron. Sentinel failed, and Starscream fought Megatron and Blackout for the Code Keys 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. Transformers: Exodus

High Moon Studios games

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Starscream attempted to claim leadership of the Decepticons when Megatron was believed to be killed by 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. Transformers: War for Cybertron

Years later during the Autobots' final days on Cybertron, an assault on Autobot City quickly ended when the massive Metroplex killed Megatron, and naturally, Starscream took control of the Decepticons and quickly retreated at Optimus's suggestion. This turned out to be the start of the Decepticons' worst days: Starscream was an absolute failure at leadership, wasting their plentiful Energon reserves on statues and other ways of pimping his own image, to the point that after three days, they were left with no Energon and no way to get off of the dying planet. However, Soundwave revived Megatron, who quickly decimated Starscream's loyalists and publicly humiliated Starscream, sending him running and swearing vengeance. Fall of Cybertron

Prime cartoon

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When Megatron departed Earth for three years, Starscream was left in command of the Nemesis and the Decepticon forces on Earth. Darkness Rising, Part 1 When Megatron was presumed killed in the space bridge explosion, Starscream immediately named himself the new leader. Darkness Rising, Part 5 When the Vehicons had trouble taking him seriously as a full-time Emperor of Destruction, the Seeker awoke Skyquake to stake his claim on the throne. When it was discovered that Megatron had survived the explosion, Starscream attempted to dispose of him only for the arrival of Laserbeak to force him to bring Megatron back to the Nemesis for repairs. Masters & Students With Megatron's condition showing no signs of improvement, Starscream conspired to take him off his life-support, promising Knock Out the position of second-in-command if he complied. An unforeseen chain of events led to his return, and Megatron pummelled Starscream nearly to death for trying to kill him. Sick Mind Out of His Head During Megatron's absence from the Nemesis in order to deal with [Unicron#Aligned continuity family|Unicron]]'s awakening, Airachnid advocated that the Decepticons abandon Megatron and nominated herself for leader. Soundwave challenged these assertions in combat, handily winning the fight. One Shall Rise, Part 2 One Shall Rise, Part 3

Though made aware of the attempted coup in his absence, Orion Pax, Part 1 Megatron decided to allow Airachnid to continue serving him until he felt like dealing with it some time later. Megatron sent Dreadwing to terminate her for her treachery, but to his dismay, Dreadwing returned having failed to execute her and minus Breakdown. Airachnid challenged him to a duel for control of the Decepticons, but even her subservient Insecticon ended up falling against Megatron. However, upon discovering an entire army of them in stasis Crossfire, she later launched a massive assault on the Nemesis to bring down Megatron, while Starscream also sent some clones after Megatron as well. Megatron killed the clones, and Airachnid's defeat at the hands of Arcee freed the Insecticons from her control, and they quickly joined Megatron's command. Armada (episode)

Airachnid would return to plague Megatron's command one more time when she was freed from stasis lock by vampiric Terrorcon Cylas, and she quickly turned the Insecticons on the Decepticons once again. Soundwave's intervention banished them to a dead moon of Cybertron's. Thirst A much greater threat to Megatron's command presented itself when Predaking revealed his sentience, making known his desire to lead an army of cloned Predacons for Megatron. This ambition coupled with the Predacons' might far exceeding the struggling Decepticon movement convinced Megatron of Predaking's potential to become a renegade, with the Decepticons duping the Autobots into destroying Project: Predacon. Evolution

When Megatron fell in battle and the Autobots captured the Nemesis, Deadlock leadership (and membership) fell to Starscream and Shockwave, who worked to clone a new army of Predacons to destroy the Autobots. When Unicron's return resulted in Shockwave going missing, and upon his defeat, a revived Megatron declared the Decepticon movement dead. Starscream took this as an opportunity to start a new Decepticon empire under his command only to be confronted by some revenge seeking Predacons. Predacons Rising

2015 Robots in Disguise cartoon

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With Megatron gone and Starscream presumed (but not actually) dead, Mighty Big Trouble leadership of the remaining Decepticons fragmented, with no clear leader being apparent until Steeljaw announced his intent to found a "new Decepticon Empire" centered on Earth—with himself as leader, of course. Decepticon Island (Part 1)

Starscream however had his own plans for galactic conquest Mighty Big Trouble hoping to rebuild the Decepticon Empire in his image. Mini-Con Madness

Cyclonus, meanwhile, had overthrown the High Council and also sought to revive the Decepticon Empire only he wanted Megatron to return and lead their forces. When attempts to summon Megatron had failed however, Galvatronus decided the council could lead the Decepticons until Megatron returned. Freedom Fighters

Cyberverse cartoon

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As the founder of the Decepticon faction, Megatron led his followers throughout the Great War. Megatron Is My Hero His position was briefly usurped by Starscream some 66 million years later but the coup proved short lived. Bad Moon Rising

Following the end of the Great War, Megatron was slain by a parallel version of himself, The Other One leaving Soundwave and Shadow Striker in command. The Immobilizers Following Soundwave's own demise, Shadow Striker was left as leader in the new age of peace. The Perfect Decepticon

Alternate universe

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In Megatron X's reality, his Decepticon supersoldiers began a fight for dominance in the absence of a leader. One of them, calling himself Tarn, tricked the Autobots into helping him acquire the Cortex Helm, using it to slave his brethren to him and crowing himself as the new Decepticon leader before Soundwave destroyed him in a sacrificial attack. The Perfect Decepticon

EarthSpark cartoon

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The Decepticons were founded by Megatron who led them in a war against the Autobots to create a more equal Cybertron. By the time the conflict spread to Earth, Megatron realized how radicalized his followers had become and defected to the Autobots in an attempt to bring the conflict to an end. In Megatron's absence, Shockwave assumed command before the Decepticons were defeated. Warzone

Years later, following the Emberstone being shattered, Starscream assumed command of the Decepticons. Aftermath After he went crazy, Shockwave resumed command, Witwicky, Part 2 eventually leading his soldiers off Earth. No Soldier Left Behind

Notes

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  • Unlike the Autobot leader, the Decepticon leader has no "official name" with the closest being Lord, such as Lord Megatron or Lord Starscream.

See also

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