The Autobots and the Deceptions are two main factions of Cybertronians in The Transformers franchise. Holding opposing views on the world and their society, the two factions – led by Optimus Prime and Megatron respectively – are constantly fighting for supremacy, which makes for the basic plot idea of the whole franchise. Although the Autobots, as the good guys, most often win, the Decepticons are usually depicted as being much stronger than the individual Autobots. Wondering why that is? Well, after reading our text on why the two groups hate each other, you can continue reading this article for more answers!
The Decepticons are usually depicted as being stronger due to historical reasons. Before the Civil War, the Decepticons were soldiers, spies, and warriors, while the Autobots were labourers, couriers, and artisans. This explains why the Decepticons had to be physically stronger to fulfill their duties.
In 1984, Hasbro and Takara Tomy released a toy line that included robots that could transform into vehicles. They were Japanese toys rebranded for the Western market, based on the Diaclone and Microman toy lines. The toy line was named Transformers and it would soon enough become a pillar of modern pop-culture, with a series of animated shows, comic books, video games and – subsequently – live-action movies that created one of the most important franchises in the world.
Now that we’ve given you a short introduction, let us discuss the topic of this article in more detail.
Who are the Autobots?
The Autobots are a group of benevolent, sentient, self-configuring, fictional robotic lifeforms from the planet Cybertron. They are led by Optimus Prime and are one of the two main factions in the Transformers fictional universe, which debuted back in 1984. The “Heroic Autobots”, as they are usually called, are opposed by the “Evil Decepticons”, led by the tyrannic Megatron.
Both Autobots and Decepticons are humanoid robots (for the most part), that can transform into machines, vehicles and other familiar mechanical objects, as well as mimic organic lifeforms (Dinobots). Autobots typically transform into regular cars, trucks, or other road vehicles (automobiles) but some can transform into aircraft, military vehicles, communication devices, weapons, and even robotic animals. These Autobots are often grouped into special “teams” that have the suffix “-bot” at the end, such as in Dinobot (Decepticon groups’ names end in “-con”). The animalistic descendants of the Autobots are known as the Maximals.
Autobots are a sub-race of Cybertronians. They are a synergistic blend of biological evolution and technological engineering. The exotic materials that make up their composition is a living metal with a self-replicating cellular structure and genetic code. The Autobots were created by the Quintessons.
Some of the most famous Autobots are Optimus Prime (formerly known as Orion Pax, the Thirteenth Prime), Bumblebee, Ultra Magnus, Hot Rod (later known as Rodimus Prime), Ratchet, Wheeljack, Ironhide, Cliffjumper, Prowl, Jazz, Sideswipe, Springer, Kup, Blurr, Arcee, Wheelie, Mirage, and the Dinobots (Grimlock, Slag, Snarl, Sludge, Swoop).
Who are the Decepticons?
The Decepticons are the main antagonists in every iteration of the Transformers fictional universe since 1984. They are depicted as a faction of sentient, fictional robotic lifeforms led by the tyrant Megatron, identified by a purple face-like insignia. Capable of transforming into alternate forms, these are often high-tech or powerful vehicles; including aircraft, military vehicles, construction vehicles, expensive luxury or sports cars and even smaller-than-human-sized objects.
Both Decepticons and Autobots are humanoid robots (for the most part), that can transform into machines, vehicles and other familiar mechanical objects, as well as mimic organic lifeforms (Insecticons). Decepticons typically transform into different aircraft, military vehicles, communication devices, weapons, and even robotic animals, unlike the Autobots, who mostly transform into regular vehicles. These Decepticons are often grouped into special “teams” that have the suffix “-con” at the end, such as in Constructicon (Autobot groups’ names end in “-bot”). The animalistic descendants of the Autobots are known as the Predacons.
Decepticons are a sub-race of Cybertronians. They are a synergistic blend of biological evolution and technological engineering. The exotic materials that make up their composition is a living metal with a self-replicating cellular structure and genetic code. The Decepticons were created by the Quintessons.
Some of the most famous Decepticons are Megatron (later known as Galvatron), Starscream, Soundwave, Shockwave, Skywarp, Thundercracker, Reflector, the Constructicons (Hook, Scrapper, Bonecrusher, Long Haul, Scavenger, Mixmaster, Devastator), and the Insecticons (Shrapnel, Bombshell, Kickback).
Why are the Decepticons stronger?
Now that you know who these factions are, we can get to the main question of this article. To give an answer to this question, we have to go way back into Cybertron’s history. The explanation lies within the societal roles of the two factions in ancient times, but note that each continuity (or generation) can have its own, specific answer to this question, which differs from this one.
In the history of Cybertron, after the Transformers had rebelled against the Quintessons, the planet was ruled by a corrupt political elite, that was eventually overthrown in an uprising led by Megatron. But Megatron, who was the leader of the Decepticons, soon became a power-hungry tyrant himself and this led to his former associate, Orion Pax (who would get the Matrix of Leadership and become Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots), challenging him. You can read more on this topic here.
Divided once more, Cybertron entered a period of civil war between the Decepticons and the Autobots. Led by Megatron, the Decepticons soon became notorious for their brutality and evil deeds, which they could freely execute because they were – initially at least – much stronger than the Autobots.
Namely, the Decepticons were comprised of a former warrior class of Transformers who, during the old system, most often served as soldiers, warriors and spies. They were specifically trained to be physically dominant and now that they had united, they were a force to be reckoned with. This is also why more Decepticons transform into battle vehicles and/or weapons than is the case with the Autobots, who are most often just regular transportation or maintenance vehicles.
As for the Autobots, they were usually just labourers and couriers in the old area. They were rarely created for fighting purposes, which explains why the Autobots transform into regular and/or maintenance vehicles and rarely anything else. Most Autobots were actually civilians caught up in a war they were not ready for, which is why the Decepticons initially had an easy task in defeating them. Still, as time went by, the Autobots learned some essential skills and, under the leadership of the powerful Optimus Prime, became strong warriors who could oppose the Decepticons.
With these remarks, we can conclude today’s story. As you can see, in the history of Cybertron, the Decepticons had to be stronger and more resilient due to their duties and jobs. They were mostly soldiers and warriors, which means that they had to be strong. The Autobots, on the other hands, were pacifists, labourers, and artisans and they – initially at least – had no need for physical strength, which is why they were weaker than the Decepticons.
And that’s it for today. We hope you had fun reading this and that we helped solve this dilemma for you. See you next time and don’t forget to follow us!
