Predator (subgroup)

The name or term "Predator" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Predator (disambiguation).

The Predators are a Decepticon subgroup from the Generation 1 continuity family.

The Predators are a team of Decepticons, most of whom transform into jets. The group spent 2412 meta-cycles in the Skomiloch Territories, during which time they reformatted their bodies to better adapt to the unique environment of that system. Modifications include: super-dense armor plating, camouflage decoes suitable to local geography, and green-hued optic filters to adapt to the prevailing color spectrum. Their ranks include:

• Skyquake, the leader and huge jet-thing.
• Stalker, the ICBM launcher tank.
• Falcon, the Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk.
• Skydive, the Northrop YF-23 Black Widow II.
• Snare, the Grumman X-29.
• Talon, the McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle.

Fiction

Predator Air Attack!

With Supersight, the Predators found Flash speeding through the Desert, and, as the Turbomaster raced back to his base to warn of an impending Decepticon attack, Skydive and the other aerial Predators followed behind, allowing the unwitting Autobot to show them the way to their target. During the attack, Stalker finally clashed with his mortal enemy, the legendary Rotorstorm. And as his troops bravely fought against the autobots, Skyquake was in Skyswoop, commanding his troops at a safe distance. Predator Air Attack!

2005 IDW continuity

The Predators, under the command of Skyquake, are a force almost entirely devoted to aerial dominance. While Skyquake's intimate circle consists of the more 'well-known' Predators, there are many other members of the unit, all of whom have adopted the form of jets.

Skyquake led a force to the Skomiloch Territories to put down local resistance to the Decepticons' star harvesting efforts. After crushing the resistance, Skyquake set up a mini-empire there, ruling the area for 2412 meta-cycles while managing to stay on good terms with Decepticon High Command and Megatron himself. While there, they made adaptations to their bodies to suit the unique local environment. Snare's personnel evaluation

At the height of the cross-galactic Decepticon uprising, Skyquake and his Predators were charged with securing Garrus-9 as an important element of Megatron's long term plan. Overlord had other ideas. Most of the lower ranking Predators who saw Overlord arrive were scared senseless—likely due to his infamous reputation—and their fears were proven true when Overlord casually gunned down their commander following a disagreement. Overlord's sudden arrival allowed the Predators to tip the odds of the ongoing battle even further in their favour, resulting in utter victory for the Decepticons on Garrus-9.

It's possible that, while not strictly part of the official unit, that the Decepticons who were liberated from Garrus-9 also joined the Predators.

Three years later, the Predators remained on the planet under Overlord's command, engaging in mindless slaughter. Some of the Predators, such as Snare, were growing sick of it... but none dared stand up to the sociopath. Last Stand of the Wreckers #1 Eventually, Snare released Impactor in hopes that he would bring the Autobots to defeat Overlord. Last Stand of the Wreckers #2

When Impactor returned with the Wreckers in tow, many Predators lost their lives to Ironfist's cerebro-centric bullets. Last Stand of the Wreckers #3 Stalker captured and tortured several of the Autobots and fatally wounded Snare for betraying the Predators, but was in turn killed by Springer. Last Stand of the Wreckers #4 After the Wreckers successfully defeated Overlord, the remaining Predators fled from Garrus-9, likely feeling quite relieved. Last Stand of the Wreckers #5

Ask Vector Prime

The Multiforce fought the Predators in the Skomiloch Territories after they were displaced from their native time by a dimensional shock. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/01

Toys

Generation 1

• Predators
  • Falcon
  • Skydive
  • Skyquake
  • Stalker
  • Snare
  • Talon

The Predators were released in 1992, only in European, Australian, and Canadian markets. They were the "headliner" Decepticons, with their leader Skyquake apparently being the leader of all the Decepticons at the time.

While the Predators shared the missile-launching shtick of their Autobot counterparts the Turbomasters (though the Predator launchers are entirely uniform across all the toys), they also had the Megavisor gimmick to unify the team further, allowing the smaller jets to physically link with the larger.

Due to a combination of design and Gold Plastic Syndrome, the Predator launchers are quite delicate. It's best never to load one of the launchers while it is in the hand of a Predator—the post is most likely to just snap right off. The trigger is also likely to snap off due to relying on on the plastic bending as opposed to being hinged.

In at least France, the Netherlands, and Belgium, the Predators were referred to as Scope Masters.

Notes

• The four small Predator jets were released—without changes—in Takara's Operation Combination line as the "Jet Corps". Also, it is likely that Skyquake is the "model" for the ever-unseen Operation Combination head badguy Scrash.