Predaking (G1)
| The name or term "Predaking" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Predaking (disambiguation). |
- 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 Transformers cartoon
- Voice actor: Bud Davis (English), Minoru Inaba (Japanese), Edgar Fruitier (French (Canada)), Héctor Vieyra (Latin American), Reinhard Brock (German, Five Faces of Darkness), Gernot Duda (German, Chaos), Bernd Simon (German, Nightmare Planet), Ulf Jürgen Söhmisch (German, The Quintesson Journal), Holger Schwiers (German, Call of the Primitives)
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 patrolling 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 manga
During an attack on the planet Feminia, Predaking took out a distracted Omega Supreme, Superion and Defensor, only to suffer an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Omnibots. The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #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 Sol 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)
The Headmasters manga
During the Decepticons' second attempt to overtake planet Beast, Predaking joined Alligatron and a unit of Sharkticons in attacking a squad of Autobot Beastformers. Highbrow and Brainstorm managed to save the Beastformers, though they allowed themselves to be captured in the process. Great Decisive Battle of Planet Beast!
Super-God Masterforce manga
Predaking appeared to make a triumphant comeback with a squadron of other legendary Decepticons, attacking the Autobot Godmasters on Earth. However, "Predaking" was revealed to have been nothing more than an illusion created by King Poseidon, who was subsequently defeated. Burn, Super Soul! The New Commander Super Ginrai!
Zone manga and story pages
Years later, after several more Decepticon leaders had come and gone, the faction came under the rulership of the supernatural entity Violen Jiger, who assembled 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, and sent forth to conquer planets in pursuit of Violen Jiger's goal of creating a Decepticon Zone. Zone Part 1
One the first worlds to fall to their wrath was Predaking's old stomping ground, planet Feminia, which the generals destroyed utterly. One month later, following the generals' theft of the new power source Energon Z from the Autobot base on planet Zone, Predaking, Devastator, King Poseidon and Trypticon launched an assault on the Earth in order to obtain the Zodiac, the mystical final component in Violen Jiger's plan which lay hidden on the planet. Predaking attacked Japan, centering on Mount Fuji, and was soon joined there by the other generals, where they came under attack from the Autobot Micromasters. The tiny 'bots were no match for the giant generals, but the fight was then taken up by the Autobot Powered Masters Dai Atlas and Sonic Bomber. In the course of the battle, the Zodiac was unearthed from its subterranean hiding spot, and everyone began grappling over it. Unfortunately for the generals, when Trypticon tried blasting the Autobots with an Energon Z beam, it reacted with the Zodiac and granted the Powered Masters new "Zone Mode" alternate forms, the power of which allowed them to soundly defeat the generals and drive them 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 Later still, he and the other 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 (Japanese)
Arriving in Japan at the base of Mount Fuji, Predaking almost crushed local boy Akira Serikawa, but the human was snatched to safety by the Autobot Micromaster Whisper. Predaking then came under fire from the Micromaster forces who arrived in the Galaxy Rocket, and was soon joined in battling the little Autobots by Tryticon. Together, they almost destroyed the Galaxy Rocket, until the timely arrival of Dai Atlas and Sonic Bomber. Predaking proceeded to engage Dai Atlas, but the Autobot soon broke off their fight when Devastator arrived on the scene and made a play for the Zodiac's hiding place underground. Through Devastator and King Poseidon's combined efforts, the Zodiac was discovered; King Poseidon attempted to toss it to his comrades, but Predaking and Trypticon wound up crashing into one another in their eagerness to grab the Zodiac, allowing Dai Atlas to seize it. Predaking could only watch as the Autobots used the "Zone Mode" forms the Zodiac granted them to destroy King Poseidon and Trypticon; attempting to flee, he was thwarted in his efforts by Dai Atlas, who sliced him into two from head to crotch. Predaking's vaguely organic-looking brain was momentarily exposed before he died, his bisected halves exploding impressively. Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!
Marvel Comics continuity
Marvel The Transformers comics
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 Generation One 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
As the Dinobots unleashed the Beast on the Decepticons, the Predacons attempted to form Predaking as a counter to this awesome force. The Beast barely broke its stride, destroying Predaking utterly, to the absolute shock of the assembled Decepticons. The Beast Within
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 #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 #3 He then spent the remainder of the battle hunting down civilians. The Art of War #4
Games
The Transformers (PS2)
- Voice actor:
Right when the Jewel of Mystery was within sight of the Autobots, Predaking roared (which sounded more like a moan), stating that the Autobots would not have the Jewel. Dropping in front of them, Predaking stated his mission: "Destroy...Autobots! Keep...Jewel! My...Only...Goal!" Rodimus Prime recognized the hulking combination of the Predacons and warned the Autobots that he was tough. Predaking fought the Autobots, but despite being aided by a mass of Decepticon foot soldiers, the Predacon gestalt was defeated. Deciding to go back to base, Predaking turned around and flew away. Once Rodimus was sure Predaking was out of hearing range, he expressed gratitude for the fact that Predaking was an idiot. The Transformers
Toys
Generation 1
- Predaking (1986, 2004)
- Japanese ID number: D-78
- Accessories: X-ray laser cannon, sonic sword, 2 fists, 2 foot stands, head
- Generation 1 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, but can switch sides allowing the construction of a more show-accurate toy. 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. In his combined mode featuring each member in die-cast form, Predaking is rather heavy for a Transformer. A complete combiner weighs in at exactly 1 kilogram (2.2lbs). This however does not upset the balance of the toy, as Headstrong and Tantrum have the bulk of the die-cast. 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.
- Predaking (2010)
- Accessories: Razorclaw's sword and cannon, 2 fists, 2 feet, head
- Released on November 27, 2010 as part of TakaraTomy's Celebration 2010 line, Predaking featured significant differences from the previous releases. His yellow plastic was replaced with gold plastic, most of which was painted over gold. The orange, red, black, and gray plastic was replaced with metallic fleck equivalents. Nearly every sticker has been redesigned from the original, and an optional label sheet to be applied to the robot, beast, and combined mode eyes has been included. Like the previous reissue, this version featured die-cast parts.
- Many of the individual figures featured changes to their face paint in either overall color or application.
- This figure comes with 3 points towards the 2010 Sound Station Redemption campaign, they can be found hidden in the upper right corner front flap of the packaging.
Platinum Edition
- Predaking (2013)
- 10 OF 30
- Accessories: Predaking's sword, Razorclaw's sword and cannon, 2 fists, 2 feet, head
- Platinum Edition Predaking is similar to the 2010 release, complete with die-cast metal parts. New to this release is a gold redeco of the Star Saber of Beast Hunters Voyager Class Optimus Prime. In addition to several pre-applied stickers, five sheets of labels from the 2010 release are also included. Finally, he has a designated number as part of the Thrilling 30 line.
Merchandise
Forms Robo
- Predaking (1987)
- Predaking was also among the ten characters who were rendered as part of the Forms Robo line of oversized keshigomu figures. He came individually packaged in a plastic baggie, and was available in red, yellow, green or blue. Of the various Forms Robo figures, Predaking is easily the hardest to find, rarely appearing on the secondary market.
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 United States release of this two-pack has been cancelled, but it has been found in other markets such as Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom and Germany.
Notes
- Razorclaw's head was originally designed to transform into Predaking's. This was dropped for unknown reasons.
- 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.
Foreign names
- Japanese: Predaking (プレダキング Puredakingu)
- Russian: Vreditel (Вредитель, "Wrecker")
- Chinese: Chōng Yúnxiāo (冲云霄, "Rush to the sky")
