The generations-long fight between the Autobots and the Decepticons is at the forefront of the Transformers universe. Both sides have legendary characters that have appeared in multiple mediums like television cartoons, live-action movies, and most recently, the MOBA video game Smite. Many fan favorites join Optimus Prime in the light; however, there are just as many on the opposite side that fans love to see cause trouble.
It takes a lot more to rise the ranks of Decepticons than it does in the Autobots, even though the positions of the Autobots are filled with strong warriors. To rise among the Decepticons, it takes cleverness, ruthlessness, and cold opportunism. Many try, but even more fail. Here is a list of the evilest, calculating Decepticon Transformers.
14 Scorponok
Scorponok has one of the longest histories in the Transformers franchise. He has appeared in numerous mediums, with several different versions of his character taking shape. He has been one of the most threatening warriors on the battlefield, even going toe to toe with Megatron and coming out on top.
Scorponok has been a significant threat, with his agendas against Autobots. That, along with his lust for power within the Decepticon ranks, places him at number nine on the list.
13 Astrotrain
Astrotrain first appeared in the original Transformers animated series during the second half of the show’s second season. Astrotrain is a hulking powerhouse with a rare ability to increase his size and has two alternate transformations; a space shuttle and a locomotive train. In the Decepticon ranks, Astrotrain was described as the factions transport specialist; in battle, he would play with the minds of his enemies by quickly switching between his multiple forms.
Like most Decepticons, Astrotrain had an egregious thirst for power and on more than one occasion plotted against Megatron in order to take his position and rule over the Decepticons himself. Astrotrain’s threat level increases as he can influence other machines as well, having created an entire army from scrapped trains to take on Megatron.
12 Tidal Wave
Tidal Wave is the largest Decepticon of the faction, being one of their guardian transformers. He usually takes the form of a navy warship but is made up of three different, smaller vessels for his great size. First appearing in Transformers: Armada, he gained much notoriety that spearheaded him into appearing in several more Transformers series over the years.
Always a menace on the battlefield, Tidal Wave is a dedicated Decepticon that can cause explosive damage that even an entire team of Autobots couldn’t handle. Tidal Wave’s pure power makes him one of the best and most dangerous Decepticons.
11 Nightbird
In the original Transformers animated series, Nightbird made her first appearance as a prototype built by the human character, the scientist Fujiyama, who built her to showcase how far robotics had come in the human world. Seizing an opportunity, the Decepticons stole the Nightbird prototype and upgraded it into a powerful ninja robot, but because she was not originally a Decepticon, she had no vehicle transformation in the series and wasn’t sentient.
Throughout the character’s history, she reappeared in later installments of the franchise after being deactivated by Starscream who saw her as a threat. She was more prominent in the comic books having been upgraded to become a full-fledge Transformer with transformations; hopefully, with the announcement of a new live-action film, Nightbird may appear in Rise of The Beasts.
10 Overlord
Overlord is a lone wolf among Decepticons. He has appeared scarcely in media in the United States, but his debut garnered quite a bit of attention. Like Tidal Wave, he is made up of multiple vehicles, though he is not quite as big. Still, Overlord proved to be a strong contender for leadership and a genuine rival to Megatron.
He is always a renegade Decepticon, with his faction of soldiers carrying out campaigns against Optimus Prime and Megatron by himself. His history is short compared to other transformers’ characters; still, it is one of the most eventful. His prowess in battle and tactics in the transformers universe make him a leading threat.
9 Bludgeon
Bludgeon is an original Decepticon created in the Pretenders transformers series which only aired in Japan. In the show, he was a Samurai-themed transformer human hybrid that delved into dark magic. His popularity stems from the series of Transformers comics across multiple companies like Marvel, IDW, and several spin-offs along the way.
Bludgeon’s history and personality were truly explored and turned him into an expert combatant and dark member of the Decepticons that was not to be trifled with. His vicious nature in combat and diabolical schemes almost signaled the end of the Autobots on numerous occasions making him one of the Autobots’ greatest villains.
8 Soundwave
Soundwave is one of the most popular Transformers characters globally, which is saying a lot considering he’s a Decepticon. He has appeared in many versions in most Transformers media, including comics and live-action movies. He is described as the spy Decepticon, able to read minds and gather intel.
Because of his skills, Soundwave was stationed high in the Decepticon hierarchy. Megatron’s most loyal confidant, Soundwave was also a fierce fighter, sometimes taking on multiple Autobots alone. While he has been a leader, Soundwave’s personality sometimes pushes him to the background, which is why he ranks lower than some other Decepticons.
7 Shockwave
No other Decepticon aside from Megatron himself strikes fear into Autobots everywhere as Shockwave does. A fearsome and ruthless combatant on and off the battlefield, he is a cold calculator.
Shockwave’s schemes have led to the complete desolation of entire strike forces filled with the toughest Autobots.
Even Optimus Prime would have a hard time making a speech to face this Decepticon. Shockwave’s cold, calculative nature has made him a popular character in comics and cartoons, making him one of the best Decepticons.
6 Cyclonus
Cyclonus is an interesting Decepticon, to say the least; his creation came about in the Transformer’s first animated movie when the Transformer planet, Unicron, brought several defeated Transformers back to life to act out his will, Cyclonus being one of them. Throughout his history, Cyclonus was a powerful warrior that drifted back and forward between a second-in-command strategist and a mindless henchman.
Most recently Cyclonus appeared in the Transformers Animated cartoon which retained his Unicron creation and pits him against the Autobots as a main villain from the future. Cyclosus character is expanded further in the comics turning him into a loyal leader of the Decepticons turned anti-hero switching factions to the Autobots.
5 Starscream
One of the most prominent Decepticons in existence (demonstrated by his popularity in memes), Starscream has a significant presence throughout the legacy of Transformers in Comics, Animation, and Live-action movies. Starscream has long served as a second-in-command role to Megatron but is always calculating his options and looking for an opportunity to overthrow him.
Since his conception, Starscream has terrorized the Autobots from above, primarily appearing as a fighter jet. Commonly described as a coward or a weasel, Starscream is still not one to underestimate.
4 Nemesis Prime
Nemesis Prime is the incarnation of an evil Optimus Prime, he appeared in the original transformers cartoon and was created by accident when Megatron hit a disabled truck and Optimus Prime with a cloning ray. Originally bearing the name Scourge, through the years after, Nemesis Prime had many different iterations and was mostly a henchman. He appeared again in the later series, Transformers Armada, and was an unstoppable creation that both Autobots and Decepticons had to work together to defeat.
When Nemesis Prime made an appearance in the Transformer comics, Nemesis Prime was now an agent of Unicron and sought the destruction of Cybertron and nearly succeeded had he not been stopped by a combined effort from Autobots across different timelines. Because of the mystery surrounding his appearances and creation he garnered a fair amount of popularity.
3 Megatron
The terror of terrors, Megatron has been one of the most influential villains not just in Transformers, but in general pop culture. With his menacing presence as the longstanding leader of the Decepticons and main rival of Optimus Prime, he is the only Decepticon with the wit, prowess, and strength to rule adequately.
He has had many iterations and has appeared in many mediums, especially after the Unicron saga. Megatron’s ambition and vile nature make even the most powerful Decepticons and Autobots think twice about taking him on.
2 Galvatron
While Megatron is the ultimate threat to the Autobots, he has been defeated numerous times in the past — yet, he always comes back in one form or another. One of his most powerful forms is that of Galvatron. This was the result of Megatron being recreated inside the machine god Unicron and reforged using the Matrix of Leadership.
As Galvatron, Megatron’s power was increased tenfold. He became an even more dangerous threat to Cybertron and the Autobots controlled directly by Unicron. Paired with Megatrons bloodlust, Galvatron is nearly unstoppable.
1 Unicron
While technically not a Decepticon, Unicron is the most deadly threat to the entire universe, not just the Autobots. Unicron often employs the forces of Decepticons in his plans to wipe out humanity and the universe with them. He is the most powerful entity in the Transformers universe, titled a “planet eater.” Many fans hope that he shows up in the upcoming Transformers 7 live-action film.
Whenever Optimus Prime feels his presence through space, there is no question that ruin and chaos are soon to follow. Unicron takes the number one spot, as he is the best of the best in the class of Decepticon.
