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{{factions|decepticon}} | {{factions|decepticon|predacon}} | ||
:''Predaking is a [[Decepticon]] [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].'' | :''Predaking is a [[Decepticon]] [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].'' | ||
Revision as of 16:21, 9 February 2010
- Predaking is a Decepticon Predacon from the Generation 1 continuity family.
Predaking is the ferocious fusion of all five of the Predacons: Divebomb, Headstrong, Rampage, Tantrum, and team leader Razorclaw. Predaking is highly unusual, perhaps even unique, among combiners by the successful fusion of each of his component elements' physical abilities and personalities. Most others of his kind are rendered stupid, suggestible, or borderline 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. 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.
| “ | Predaking has the power! He needs nothing more! | ” |
——Predaking has the power to survive, "Nightmare Planet" | ||
Fiction
Generation 1 cartoon continuity
The Tranformers cartoon
- Voice Actor: Bud Davis (English), Minoru Inaba (Japanese), Edgar Fruitier (French (Canada))
Predaking first saw action during the short-lived Decepticon-Quintesson alliance in the year 2005. The Predacons attempted to prevent Blurr, Wheelie, the human Marissa Faireborn and the magnificent Sky Lynx from escaping Jupiter's moon of Io with Metroplex's transformation cog. When the individual Predacons failed, they merged into Predaking, but were quickly defeated by Sky Lynx. 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 crystals in a scheme by Galvatron to destroy Cybertron with a giant death-crystal firing cannon. When several slaves were frightened out of the mine by the monster 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, Wheelie and Grimlock from 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. 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. 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. 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 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. 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. The Ultimate Weapon
On Earth's moon, Predaking fought alongside the Terrorcon combiner Abominus until they, along with the other "primitive" animal-based Transformers, were called away by 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'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. Call of the Primitives
As part of a series of Decepticon attacks on Japan, Predaking and Devastator pursued Broadside in the Sea of Japan. He was later part of the strike force led by the Matrix-possessed Scourge. 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. The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2
Japanese 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. Part 3 and Part 4
The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers comic
During an attack on the planet Feminia, Predaking suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Omnibots. The Transformers issue 5
The Headmasters cartoon
Predaking showed up a few times, usually just long enough for him to get beat up by Fortress Maximus.
Hot Rod stopped the Predacons from merging into Predaking once by ramming Razorclaw in the gut before the combination was complete. (That's what they get for transforming without a stock footage sequence.) The Mystery of Planet Master The next time he was seen, Predaking helped Scourge and Cyclonus try to steal the Solar 1 satellite. He was defeated by Raiden and the Headmasters. The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok Predaking was defeated by Raiden and the Headmasters again when he confronted them over an erupting volcano in Peru. The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts And yet again by the Headmasters alone on Mars. Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger
Predaking joined the Decepticons on their space mission to gather energy from throughout the universe. He battled Raiden on the Twin Star planets. Battle for Defense of the False Planet Predaking later struggled with Computron on Paradise. (A warrior without equal struggling with a slow-to-act uber-nerd. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.) Head Formation of Friendship
Back on Earth, Predaking and Abominus fought Raiden on the Kamchatka Peninsula, but politely stopped fighting when the battle between the more expensive toys Fortress Maximus and MegaZarak took center stage. I Risk My Life for Earth
Oh, and one time Pointblank downed him with ONE SHOT. The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 1)
Zone
Years later, after several more Decepticon leaders had come and gone, the faction came under the rulership of the supernatural entity Violen Jiger. This mysterious creature's first action was to recruit a team of Nine Great Demon Generals from Decepticon history; Predaking was enlisted as his "Beast General" and outfitted with new armor and weaponry to make him even more powerful than before. The generals were charged with acquiring the two objects needed for Violen Jiger's ultimate goal: the Autobot super-fuel Energon Z, and the enigmatic, life-giving energy source, the Zodiac.
Zone comic and story pages
Seeking to create a Decepticon Zone to counter the Autobot Zone, 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. Zone Part 1
The Generals then united to attack planet Feminia once again, this time destroying it utterly. Violen Jiger next charged his Generals with collecting Energon Z and the all-powerful Zodiac, which he intended to use to fuel his conquest. Devastator, King Poseidon, Trypticon and Predaking next attacked the Earth, which was where the Zodiac was hidden. They succeeded in obtaining the Zodiac, only to have it taken from them by the Powered Masters Dai Atlas and Sonic Bomber. The Generals were soundly defeated and driven off. Transformers: Zone
Later, Predaking, a self-professed master of aerial combat, challenged the Powered Masters to battle. Dai Atlas and Sonic Bomber combined into Sky Powered and beat him swiftly and soundly. Zone Part 6
The Generals later schooled Metrotitan and the Metrosquad in the ways of evil, making them more than formidable foes for the Powered Masters. Zone Part 7
Zone cartoon
- Voice Actor: Yukimasa Kishino (Japan)
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 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. Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!
Marvel Comics continuity
Predaking's first outing on Earth was in the course of a hunt by the Predacons against the Autobot leader 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. The Predacons returned over the Space Bridge to Cybertron. Prey!
Predaking's next foray on Earth was part of a scheme by Shockwave to destabilise Megatron's sanity to such an extent that the way would be clear for Shockwave to take command. Shockwave supplied fake 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. 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 (well, thrown out of a shuttle), tracked down the Predacons, then modified them to become combiners, creating Predaking. Welcome to the Jungle
Starscream and his 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 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. 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. The Beast Within
Devil's Due G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers 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. The Art of War issue 2 After Serpent O.R. recruited the Predacons into his new Decepticon army, he was tracked down by a group of Autobots and G.I. Joes, but Predaking protected his new leader by stomping Bumblebee unconscious. The Decepticons then organized an attack on an Autobot peace ceremony, during which Predaking, Piranacon and Menasor took out Omega Supreme. The Art of War issue 3 He then spent the remainder of the battle hunting down civilians. The Art of War issue 4
Toys
Generation 1
- Predaking (1986, 2004)
- Japanese ID number: D-78
- Accessories: Razorclaw's sword and cannon, 2 fists, 2 feet, head
- 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 or 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
- 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)
- Robot Heroes Predaking is a small, super deformed and absolutely adorable figurine with articulated shoulders. He was only available in a two-pack with Ricochet.
- The US release of this two-pack has been cancelled, but it has been found in Singapore, Germany, the UK, Russia & Australia.
Trivia
- Predaking was designed by toy and anime mechanical designer Akitaka Mika,[1] 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[2]. While Predaking was scrapped, the bike was refined and included with the Action Master Axer.
- Incidentally, the aforementioned concept art was found in an Arby's parking lot after the end of BotCon 2000, where it had presumably come unstowed.
