Editing Predacon (G1)

{{factions|decepticon|predacon}}
{{disambig3|Predacon}}
:''The Predacons are a [[Decepticon]] [[subgroup]], and later the progenitors of the future [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:TFSummerSpecial cover.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Know that there are only five Predacons, and that they all share an awesome color scheme!]]
The '''Predacons''' are a subgroup of Decepticons who transform into powerful, savage animals.  

The subgroup is composed of: 

*The ever-patient [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (leader)
*The cheerful [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] 
*The stubborn [[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] 
*The easily-distracted [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] 
*The wrathful [[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]]

They combine to form the deadly [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]].

The group also may include [[Gnaw]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
[[File:FFOD5 Predacons.JPG|thumb|upright=1.4]]
At the behest of the [[Quintesson]]s, nominally allied with the Decepticons, the Predacons were sent to Jupiter's moon [[Io]] to retrieve [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[Transformation cog|Transformation Cog]] from [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. Oddly, despite being constantly touted as the most fearsome and vicious warriors in the galaxy, the Predacons were beaten off fairly easily by this small band of Autobots, unable even harm their human ally [[Marissa Faireborn]]. The terrifying [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] proved a bit more of a challenge, but was soon dispatched by Sky Lynx. The separated Predacons fell back in disarray as the Autobots made their escape. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

The Predacons later served directly under [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]. The Predacons appeared in many of Galvatron's schemes in the ensuing year, ranging from oppressing the people of [[Paradron]], {{storylink|Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee}} to mining [[death crystal]]s  {{storylink|Chaos (episode)|Chaos}}. They also found themselves ensnared in a bizarre dream-fueled world as part of a Quintesson plot, forcing them to cooperate - or at least tolerate - the Autobots trapped there with them. {{storylink|Nightmare Planet}}

[[File:Call-of-the-primitives-predacons4.jpg|thumb|left|200px| ]]
The Predacons were part of a large Decepticon squad fighting Autobots on the Moon, when a voice from space called them away. Abandoning the battle, the Predacons and a variety of other beastial Transformers boarded Trypticon and rocketed off into space to answer the call. Along the way, the Predacons stirred up some trouble and had a brawl with the Dinobots. Arriving on an ancient world, they learned that the [[Primacron (G1)|creator]] of [[Unicron]] had unleashed a new all-destroying energy creature... which soon arrived and attacked. Razorclaw ordered the assembled Transformers to split up to evade the creature, but later the Predacons decided it would be better to make a stand instead of running. Merging in to Predaking, they fearlessly faced their foe, but were quickly dispatched. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}} 

The Predacons were among the many Transformers were infected by the [[Hate Plague]] - Headstrong got it from Brawl, and soon spread it to Razorclaw. Later, having formed Predaking, they were moments from destroying the still-healthy Galvatron when they were quickly shooed away by some passing Autobots. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}} Back on Earth, the separated Predacons were among a group of infected Transformers who broke into Autobot City and were on the verge of destroying the inert Optimus Prime when the Autobot leader awoke and used the Matrix of Leadership's energies to cure them all. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
=====''Transformers 2010'' story pages=====
The Predacons were built through cooperation between the Decepticons and the Quintessons. Though they work for the Decepticons, they are commanded by the Quintessons. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010 (story page)|Part 3 and Part 4}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
{{stub}}

=====''Zone'' cartoon, comic and story pages=====
Seeking to create a [[Decepticon Zone]] to counter the [[Micro|Autobot Zone]], [[Emperor of Destruction|Decepticon Emperor]] [[Violen Jiger]] gathered together the Nine Great Demon Generals, upgrading them with powerful new armor and weaponry, then sent them forth to conquer planets. The Predacons were among the selected, but only in the form of Predaking. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}} {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|Zone}} {{storylink|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
Splitting off from the Decepticons, the Predacons formed [[Predacon (BW)|their own faction]], supplementing their forces with Transformers from stasis pods that [[Sky-Byte (G2)|Sky-Byte]] pilfered from [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s laboratory. {{Storylink|A Common Foe}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
''Summoned to [[Earth]] by [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] to help him hunt down and destroy an isolated and vulnerable [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], the Predacons travelled across the [[space bridge]] and (after showing off their skills by doing some target shooting on [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]) were quickly approved of by their new employer. Before leaving on their mission, however, they were approached by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], who convinced them to turn on Megatron and destroy him instead. Their attempt at treachery would result in both Megatron and Optimus being transported to Cybertron and believed dead by their respective teams for some time.'' {{storylink|Prey!}}

[[File:Predacons-GoneButNotForgotten.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Attacking Megatron's so nice we did it twice!]]

Shockwave, who was seeking to rid himself of an addled and insane Megatron (driven mad by the recent death of Optimus Prime), [[Deep space receiving tower|contacted]] the Predacons and hired them to ambush and kill the Decepticon leader. (''It was explained to the Predacons, who were understandably concerned about having to deal with Megatron yet again, that their target had recently lost his memory, and thus would not recall meeting them before, or their subsequent betrayal of him.'') The Predacons eagerly agreed to the mission, seeing it as a possible challenge for their skills, and disguised themselves as Autobots in order to convince Megatron that Optimus Prime was not only still alive, but had been the one who sent them. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}}

{{note|Unlike most of their contemporaries, the Predacons appeared to be an elite group of hunters, who seemed to exist as mercenaries outside of the usual Decepticon hierarchy—they had no qualms about trying to murder their supposed leader, so long as it seemed challenging and the money was right. Their legendary skill was so well-known that even Shockwave remembered them as the greatest hunters on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], despite having been buried in a swamp for several millennia!}}

''Deciding to stay on Earth, the Predacons quickly grew bored with the lack of any real sport there. Their previous encounters with Optimus and Megatron had been so exciting that they had expected to find the planet a little more challenging. While rampaging randomly across the country, they soon encountered the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], and found them to be worthy opponents. Both teams were closely matched in terms of power, and were strongly devoted to "looking after their own". Furthermore, it was revealed that [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] were actually old enemies from their days back on Cybertron. As the battle ended, the Predacons looked forward to causing their new rivals no end of trouble in the future.'' {{storylink|Grudge Match!}}

[[File:Predacons-ColdWar.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Do these guys ever attack the Autobots?]]
New Decepticon leader [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] dispatched the Predacons to raid a chemical storage facility outside of [[Huntsville]], [[Alabama]] for rocket fuel. Having succeeded, they joined Ratbat for an assault on [[Intelligence and Information Institute|I.I.I.]]'s [[Oregon]] headquarters, in order to examine the corpses of the [[Throttlebot]]s, whom Triple-I had recently executed. After making short work of the [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]] forces guarding the base, they located the crushed Autobot bodies, only to find that their [[brain module]]s had been removed. Ratbat and the Predacons tracked the brains (which had been transplanted into toy cars) to [[S. Witwicky Auto Repairs & Tow Service|Witwicky Auto Repair]], which they destroyed, and then to a local mall, where they were out manoeuvered  and defeated by the "toy soldiers" and their human allies, [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] and [[Walter Barnett (G1)|Walter Barnett]]. {{storylink|Toy Soldiers!}}

Under Ratbat's command, the Predacons participated in the full-scale attack against the Autobots on the moon, {{storylink|Totaled!}} as well as two major battles in the Arctic, facing both [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok's]] Decepticons and later the Autobots who had been lured there in a trap. Shortly after, the Predacons were part of the combined Autobot-Decepticon team to stop the [[Underbase]]-fueled [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] from destroying [[Tokyo]], but were easily destroyed by him. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

====Earthforce====
{{earthforcefiction}}
Razorclaw and Rampage were on a reconnaissance mission for Shockwave when they found [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], right at the moment he found out he had been the victim of an [[April Fools' Day]] joke. They laughed. That was stupid of them. {{storylink|Snow Fun!}} Grimlock's warning that there were Predacons in the area fresh in his head, [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] assumed that [[Fantasy Predacon|they]] were responsible for the disappearance of [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]. {{storylink|Mystery!}}

When Megatron and Shockwave attempted to reunite their disparate forces, the Predacons attended the [[Enclave]]. It didn't end harmoniously thanks to the intervention of the Earthforce. {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}} Later, they attacked the [[Earthbase]] under [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s command, but were driven off. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Predacons lost and found.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
Eons ago, the Predacons were Decepticon warlords who had been banished from Cybertron to the planet [[Beast (planet)|Beest]]. While on the planet, the Predacons' higher functions degraded, causing them to become feral. [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] tracked down the exiled Predacons on Beest and, with the aid of three members of the [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squadron]], subdued and rebuilt them, allowing them to combine into the fearsome Predaking. {{storylink|Welcome to the Jungle}}

Their first target was [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s base on Cybertronian [[Wastelands]], where the Predacons drew out and attacked [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], killing the latter. Before Shockwave could properly react to this turn of events the Predacons had taken over the base and subdued the rest of his troops. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}}

Later, Megatron returned to Earth, and entered the [[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]] to punish [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] for shooting him in the void of space. {{storylink|War and Peace}} The Predacons were sent to fight Starscream's elite squad, the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], while the latter were training on the island of [[Guadalcanal]]. Predaking's firepower forced the Combaticons to combine into [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], and the warriors significantly damaged each other. However, while Bruticus was strong and determined, Predaking had superior intelligence compared to the slow-witted Combaticon combiner, and he savagely defeated Bruticus, putting him in [[stasis lock]]. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

{{-}}
===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers'' continuity===
[[File:Predacons art of war.jpg|thumb|upright=1.95]]
Divebomb was among [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s troops as they waited patiently for [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s force field around [[Teletran 3]] to dissipate. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2}}

Following the defeat of Shockwave, the Predacons were forced to live in the [[Gladiator Zone]], where they created their own territory and were none too pleased with [[Nautilator (G1)|Nautilator]] intruding on it. When the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]] joined with his comrades to form [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]], the Predacons formed Predaking and fought him. Predaking came out on top, but before he could finish the Seacons off, he was stopped by [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]], who told both subgroups that he was the offspring of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}}

Joining Serpent O.R.'s new Decepticon army, the Predacons helped capture a group of Autobots and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]] and argued with the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] during a meeting. As Predaking, they later attacked an Autobot peace ceremony and took out [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} He spent the rest of the battle hunting down innocent civilians before returning to the Decepticon headquarters, where Divebomb and Rampage failed to notice that their former prisoners were sneaking up on them. Meanwhile, Tantrum and Headstrong were among the Decepticons preparing to defend their base from a major Autobot/G.I. Joe assault. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}} Alongside several other subgroup leaders, Razorclaw protected Serpent O.R. from a furious Optimus Prime, but was killed when [[Cobra Commander]] took control of Serpent O.R.'s body. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

===Dawn of Future's Past===
[[File:DawnofFuturesPast G1Predacons.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|METAL! \m/]]
After the end of the Great War the remaining Predacons formed the new [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon faction]]. Divebomb is known to have recruited several ex-Decepticons for the faction. As usual, they swore revenge against the Maximals. {{storylink|Dawn of Future's Past}}

{{note|According to [[Pete Sinclair]], the scene takes place 50-100 years after ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''. He also stated that the original Rampage, Tantrum, and Headstrong died at the end of the Great War, and the guys standing behind Razorclaw are their [[Relatives|descendants]].}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:Predacons SL Jazz.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb]]
The Predacons are a Tactical Assault Unit loyal to [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]. [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] prepared himself for a possible Predacon attack while enacting the [[Regenesis]] project, and was caught off-guard when he was instead attacked by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}}

After the Battle of [[Thunderhead Pass]], Razorclaw was involved in a Decepticon scheme to demoralize the Autobots and claim as much of their territory on the planet as possible. [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] used [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to subvert the will of [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], forcing the Autobot to make an assassination attempt on [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], "The Voice" of the Autobot cause. And so, just as the Autobot forces were gathering around their transmitters, waiting for the pre-scheduled broadcast that would never come, Razorclaw caught them off-guard with a massive full-frontal assault on the enemy trenches. Besides his Predacons, he led [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]], [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], [[Needlenose]], [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]], and even the mighty [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] himself into battle. Although details are slim, this offensive was apparently a major blow to the Autobot cause. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

At one point on Cybertron, the Predacons hunted down and killed two squads of Autobots, leaving [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] the only survivors.  Between the two, they managed to defeat four out of the five Predacons, but Razorclaw got the better of Jazz in a one-on-one battle and was about to execute him when Autobot reinforcements arrived and forced him to back off. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}}

[[File:IDWongoing11 Predacons.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
After [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s reactivation and subsequent return to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the Predacons were dispatched to ensure that his defeat was final this time, with Megatron giving Razorclaw explicit instructions: if Cybertron must die, then so be it. Razorclaw started a countdown on an orbital bombardment powerful enough to destroy Cybertron, but stood at the console with his finger on the button, ready to cancel it in the event that Thunderwing was defeated. He remarked that he was hesitant to destroy Cybertron unless it was absolutely necessary, but was willing to do it if it was. During the Autobots' battle with Thunderwing, Razorclaw sent two assault teams under Divebomb and Headstrong to assist the Autobots, but ordered them to retreat when Thunderwing revealed his "ultra-mode". Razorclaw cancelled the countdown with one second remaining after [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] defeated Thunderwing. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 4|Stormbringer #4}}

Several years later in the wake of Megatron's defeat on [[Earth]], hundreds of Decepticons gathered on a desolate planetoid somewhere. Razorclaw oversaw them, rather enjoying it when they turned to cannibalism. {{storylink|All His Engines}} The other four Predacons were left behind on Earth, where they formed an alliance with the [[China|Chinese]] government to defend their nation in exchange for [[energon]]. {{storylink|International Incident Part 3: "Hawk Among the Sparrows"|Hawk Among the Sparrows}} Led by Rampage, they clashed with the Autobots (allied with [[Skywatch]]) and [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] (allied with [[North Korea]]), but ultimately the Chinese energon factories were destroyed, and the Predacons saw no need to stick around any further. {{storylink|International Incident Part 4: "All My Sins Remembered"|All My Sins Remembered}} As for Razorclaw, he tried to defend the Decepticon base from [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Hot Rod]] only to fall victim to a [[cerebro-shell]] and forced to turn on Starscream. {{storylink|Heart Like a Wheel}}

After the war against [[D-Void]], the Predacons were reunited on Cybertron, where they were imprisoned by the Autobots and fitted with [[Inhibitor/deterrence chip|I/D chips]]. {{storylink|The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|The Autonomy Lesson}} Like most Decepticons, they went on a riot when Megatron returned. {{storylink|City on Fire}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:G1 Predaking toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|It's called "Animal Planet" 'cause WE took it over!]]
* '''Predacons''' (1986)
**[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] 
**[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] 
**[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] 
**[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]]
**[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]]

:The Predacons were sold boxed in 1986 and 1987. They are by far the largest combining team, as all five members are the same comparatively large size. They share a unified color scheme of red, orange, yellow, gray and black. Each transforms from a robot armed with a sword and handgun to a chunky mechanical animal; the five toys combine together to form [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]]. Some of Predaking's add-on kibble is used by his individual components as weaponry.

====Japan only====
[[File:G1 Gnaw toy.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
*'''Gnaw''' (Decepticon, 1986)

:Gnaw was an Animatron in the Japanese toyline.

===Titaniums===
* '''Predaking''' (3" Robot Masters, 2006)

===''Universe'' (2008)===
* '''Special Team Leaders''' (2008)
** Razorclaw
:A redeco of Legends-class [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]].

===BotCon 2009===
* '''Razorclaw''' (2009)
: A retool of Voyager-class Leobreaker.

==Notes==
* The Predacons appear to be based on the [[Anibot]]s, a group of five Autobots who appeared in an early version of the script for the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 movie]]. These Anibots had the same animal modes as the Predacons (with the minor difference of a leopard instead of a tiger), and would also have combined into a larger robot, albeit a robot ''dragon''.
* According to the 1986 vendor catalog, the gold plastic swords were originally intended to be [[:File:1986protopredacons.jpg|gold chromed]].
* In Japanese media, [[Gnaw]] is labeled an Animatron.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Animatron''' (アニマトロン ''Animatoron'')
*''Russian:'' '''Vredikon''' (Вредикон, "Hurtcon")

[[Category:Beast Wars subgroups]]
[[Category:Combiner teams]]
[[Category:Decepticon subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 1 subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Predacons| Predacon (G1)]]
[[Category:Predacons| Predacon (G1)]]
[[Category:Wings Universe subgroups]]