The Decepticons are a fictional faction of sentient robots in the Transformers multimedia franchise.[1]
| Decepticon | |
|---|---|
 Decepticon insignia | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics, IDW Publishing, Dreamwave Productions, Devil's Due Publishing, Fun Publications |
| First appearance | The Transformers #1 (September 1984) |
| In-story information | |
| Base(s) | Homeworld: Kaon, Cybertron Other: Chaar, the Victory (G1), the Megastar (RID), Decepticon City (G1), the Nemesis (G1, ROTF, Animated, SG, Prime). |
| Leader(s) | Megatron/Galvatron (stated in exodus and the cartoon), Starscream, Steeljaw, Liege Maximo, Unicron, The Fallen/Megatronus (in the movie series) |
Description
They are depicted as a faction of sentient robotic lifeforms led by Megatron, identified by a purple face-like insignia. Capable of transforming into alternate forms, these are often high tech vehicles; including aircraft, military vehicles, heavy equipment, ground combat vehicles, expensive luxury cars, sports cars and even smaller-than-human-sized objects.
In the Japanese version of the franchise, the Decepticons are called Destron[2] or Deathtron (Japanese: デストロン Desutoron). The only exception to this naming convention is Car Robots, where the sub-group referred to as "Decepticons" in the Robots in Disguise adaptation, is known in Japan as the Combatrons (the Japanese name of the G1 subgroup known as the Combaticons).
As opposed to the Autobots' Supreme Commander, the Primes, the Decepticons' highest ranking leader is often given the title Emperor of Destruction in Japan. Beginning with the original Generation 1 cartoon, the Decepticon rallying cry has been "Decepticons attack!", as well as "Transform and rise up!" in Transformers: Animated as a play on the Autobots' "Transform and roll out!" rallying cry.
Factions
There are different factions of the Decepticons:
- Insecticons - A group of Decepticons who have insect forms and reproduce through cloning.
- Constructicons - A group of Decepticons who have construction vehicle forms. They are often shown combining into Devastator.
- Stunticons - A group of Decepticons who are made up of Cybertronians who can assume car form and one who can assume a truck form. They are often shown combining into Menasor.
- Combaticons - A group of Decepticons who have military vehicle forms. They are often shown combining into Bruticus.
- Predacons - A group of Decepticons who have animal forms. They are often shown combining into Predaking. The Predacon name was used for the main villains in Beast Wars: Transformers and Transformers: Robots in Disguise.
- Terrorcons - A group of Decepticons with monster forms. They are often shown combining into Abominus.
- Horrorcons - A pair of triple-changing Decepticons with jet and beast alternate modes, both of which have Headmaster partners.
- Vehicons - The foot soldiers of the Decepticons.
Transformers: Generation 1
The original animated series depicts the Decepticons as a malevolent faction of robots dedicated to the conquest of their home planet Cybertron. A war that lasted millions of years and soon that drained planet of energy. The Autobots, the Decepticons' heroic rivals, chose to flee Cybertron in hopes of finding more resources aboard their flagship the Ark, but were pursued by the Decepticons aboard their own warship, the Nemesis.The two vessels clashed and the Decepticons boarded the Ark. In the ensuing struggle, control over the ship was lost and the Ark crashed on prehistoric Earth. Four million years passed before a tremor in 1984 reactivated the Decepticons, who assumed alternate modes based on Earth vehicles and technology and set out to conquer the planet and plunder its resources.However, the Autobots were also reactivated and resolved to defend the planet and it's inhabitants from the Decepticons ill intent.
