Transformers: The Dynamic Shifts of Loyalty Between Decepticons and Autobots

Article Overview

Some Transformers characters have switched sides between the Autobots and Decepticons, with their allegiance guided by their values and experiences.

Grimlock, Dreadwing, and Jetfire have all switched sides in different Transformers stories. Betrayals and loyalties are often driven by personal grudges, loyalty, and desire for revenge, as exemplified by Wheeljack, Blackarachnia, and Optimus Prime.

In the Transformers canon, some of the most intriguing characters are those who have chosen to switch sides and leave their original team behind. Throughout the various iterations of the Transformers universe, the ongoing conflict between the Decepticons and Autobots takes center stage, as they battle for dominance on Cybertron and Earth. While the Transformers are often seen as mere robots, their unique personalities are revealed through the contrasting values offered by each faction.

Although other factions exist in different Transformers stories, the Autobots and Decepticons are typically portrayed as the main choices for most Transformers. However, there are a select few characters who have experienced being part of both teams. Throughout the Transformers films and shows, there are several Transformers who can be identified as both Decepticons and Autobots.

12. Grimlock Can't Make Up His Mind

Generation 1

Ever since their debut in the original Transformers cartoon, the Dinobots have embodied the archetype of antiheroes, with their animalistic instincts occasionally conflicting with the composed and principled Autobots. Among them, Grimlock, the formidable leader, stands out for his steadfast adherence to Darwinism, which was exploited by Megatron. Consequently, Grimlock temporarily aligned with the Decepticons. Fortunately, Optimus Prime successfully appealed to his core beliefs and values, swaying him back to the Autobot ranks by demonstrating the qualities of a true leader.

11. Dreadwing Had A Brief Tenure On The Autobots

Transformers: Prime

Dreadwing, a devoted supporter of Megatron and the Decepticons, remained loyal to the villainous group through thick and thin. Despite his allegiance, he maintained an honorable rivalry with Optimus Prime, recognizing him as a worthy adversary. However, Dreadwing's loyalty was shattered when it was revealed that his counterpart, Skyquake, had been killed by Starscream. Driven by this betrayal, Dreadwing ultimately turned his back on the Decepticons. Sadly, his time as an Autobot was short-lived, as he met his demise in battle against Megatron himself.

10. Jetfire Was The First Jet To Become An Autobot

Generation 1

Jetfire, the original traitor, was another Decepticon with a jet-themed design. He was introduced as a long-lost friend of Starscream, having been stranded on Earth for a thousand years before the story began. When he was revived in the present day, Jetfire initially joined his former allies but quickly defected upon discovering the true nature of the Decepticons' actions. This made Jetfire a remarkable Autobot as he became the first to possess a flying alternate mode and the first to betray Megatron's forces, ultimately becoming a hero.

9. The Enemy Of Starscream's Enemy Was Briefly His Friend

Transformers: Armada

Amongst all the Transformers cartoons ever made, Transformers: Armada took Starscream's obsession with power and his deep-seated animosity towards Megatron to its logical conclusion. Realizing that he alone couldn't overthrow Megatron, Starscream made the decision to align himself with the Autobots in order to bring him down from the outside. Although his scheming plan ultimately failed, Starscream briefly formed a bond with the human Alexis, whose influence was profound enough to inspire this particular incarnation of Starscream to act heroically, uniting both factions in their fight against the devastating Unicron.

8. Knock Out Went Unappreciated By The Decepticons

Transformers: Prime

Transformers: Prime, an innovative installment in the series, introduced Knock Out as an unfortunate physician compelled to serve the Decepticons as their equivalent of the Autobot, Ratchet. Knock Out's atypical choice of an automobile alt form, contrasting with the combative nature of the Decepticons, resulted in his peers having little regard for him, since they prioritized combat prowess above all else. Initially, it took two attempts from Knock Out to gain acceptance from the Autobots, as he initially seemed to only desire to align himself with the winning side at the eleventh hour.

7. Drift Renamed Himself As An Autobot

All-Hail Megatron

Formerly known as Deadlock, Drift was once a Decepticon who possessed expert sword skills and a strong sense of honor influenced by the samurai code. However, his principles clashed with the Decepticons' comically evil ideology, prompting him to abandon his given name and adopt the identity of Drift in All-Hail Megatron. In the live-action films, Drift briefly appeared as an Autobot, although his transformation from a Decepticon was not extensively explored. This character's origins in a relatively obscure miniseries have left him with a noteworthy legacy.

6. Cliffjumper Was Brought Back From The Dead By Decepticons

Transformers: Prime

Often overshadowed as a mere variation of Bumblebee, Cliffjumper has consistently embodied his namesake in various incarnations of the series, frequently meeting his demise through acts of heroic sacrifice or tragic endings within the Transformers mythos. This was no different in Transformers: Prime, where Cliffjumper fell victim to Starscream, only to be repurposed as a zombified Terrorcon under the control of the Decepticons through the utilization of a Dark Energon shard. Despite not willingly betraying his comrades, Cliffjumper found himself possessed by the same sinister necromancy that spelled doom for Skyquake.

5. The Constructicons Were Taken In Under New Management

Generation 1

The initial amalgamation of Transformers, a troupe of ambulatory construction apparatus including Scrapper, Bonecrusher, Scavenger, Mixmaster, Hook, and Long Haul possess the ability to merge their physical structures and cognitive faculties, resulting in the formidable entity known as Devastator. Notwithstanding their ominous monikers, The Constructicons were not always aligned with the Decepticons, initially functioning as tranquil custodians safeguarding the planet of Cybertron. Regrettably, they underwent reprogramming by Megatron, transforming them into instruments of warfare, and subsequently adopting purple insignias in all subsequent iterations.

4. Wheeljack's Desire For Revenge Informed His Allegiance

Transformers: Armada

While originally portrayed as a quirky inventor who supported the Autobots with his ingenious weaponry, Wheeljack's character in Transformers: Armada underwent a darker transformation. Betrayed and left for dead by Hot Shot on the battlefield, Wheeljack harbored a deep desire for revenge, symbolized by a scar he etched across the Autobot insignia on his chest. As the series progressed, he eventually aligned himself with the Decepticons, driven solely by his personal vendetta.

3. Blackarachnia Was Left For Dead And Mutated

Beast Wars: Transformers

The character known as Blackarachnia in the Beast Wars: Transformers series earned her name due to her distinctive arachnoid appearance, which played a pivotal role in her story of betrayal. Originally an Autobot named Elita-One, she possessed unique absorption powers that allowed her to mimic the physical attributes of other beings. However, circumstances took a drastic turn when Elita-One became stranded on a remote planet and was left behind by her comrades, leading her to face the terrifying giant spiders inhabiting the planet. Through absorbing their forms and experiencing a permanent techno-organic mutation, she transformed into a spider-like entity, harboring deep animosity towards the Autobots and choosing to align herself with their long-standing adversaries out of pure spite.

2. Wildwheel Spent More Time On Earth Than Most Autobots

Transformers: Cyberverse

Introduced in the third season of Transformers: Cyberverse, Wildwheel is a treacherous gunslinger who was a late addition to the series. Originally a passenger on The Ark, a massive Autobot ship, Wildwheel's stasis pod was unexpectedly ejected into a prehistoric Earth. He awakened in the American Wild West of the 1800s, where he embraced the colorful mannerisms and style of a cowboy. Eventually, he made his way back to Cybertron but held the Autobots responsible for his 200-year detour. Rejecting Optimus Prime's attempt at reconciliation, Wildwheel joined the Decepticons.

1. Optimus Prime's Erased Memories Led Him To A Stint As A Decepticon

Transformers: Prime

Despite being the undisputed leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime was not immune to the Decepticons' cunning. Following his exhausting battle with Unicron, where he utilized the power of the Matrix of Leadership, Optimus lost his Prime status and reverted back to his former self, Orion Pax. With his memories of the Cybertronian War erased, he placed his trust in Megatron, the only familiar face he recognized. Exploiting this vulnerable moment, Megatron led Optimus into the Decepticons, resulting in one of the most stunning betrayals in the entire Transformers canon.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I find the Transformers franchise fascinating, especially the idea of characters switching sides between the Autobots and Decepticons. It adds depth and complexity to the story, showing that even though the two factions have distinct ideologies, individual Transformers can have their own motivations and beliefs that lead them to change sides.

The article highlights Grimlock, Dreadwing, and Jetfire, who all made significant shifts in their loyalties. Grimlock's temporary alliance with the Decepticons, driven by his adherence to Darwinism, showcases the complexities of his character. Dreadwing's loyalty to Megatron was tested when he discovered the betrayal of his counterpart, leading him to join the Autobots, albeit briefly. Jetfire's defection from the Decepticons to the Autobots reveals his disillusionment with their actions, making him the first to betray Megatron and become a hero.

These dynamic shifts in loyalty reflect the Transformers' ongoing struggle to find their place in the universe and their understanding of the complexities of good and evil. As a Gen Z fan, I appreciate the exploration of these themes, as they add nuance to the characters and make the Transformers universe more compelling and relatable.