Transformers Universe - G1 Predacons

PREDAKING

Combined form of the Predacons
(Divebomb, Headstrong, Rampage, Razorclaw, Tantrum)

Series: Generation 1
Allegiance: Decepticon
Categories: Combiner Predacon
Year: 1986

Destroy first, ask questions later.
The closest thing to a perfect fighting machine that the Decepticons have. As a warrior he has no equal; as a weapon he has no restraints. His actions result from seemingly savage, animal instinct. Can lift 500 tons; reacts to any movement he sees within .002 seconds. Can generate protective electric field. Wields powerful X-ray laser cannon. Each foot houses twin mortar shell launchers. No known weaknesses.

My Review:

Robot Modes: The Predacon robots share a similar colour scheme, all coming in yellow, black, red, and orange. They are all five the same size, which differentiates them from most of the other G1 combiner teams where the leader was usually at least twice the size of the other four. Their posability is average for Transformers of that generation, usually able to move the arms and legs, maybe with some knees and elbows involbed. The worst of the lot here is Razorclaw, whose arms are way too short. All in all, though, all five make decent robots. They are armed with swords and guns, making them lethal both in close quarter and long range combat.

Beast Modes: The Predacons transform into five different animals. Razorclaw becomes a lion, Divebomb a falcon, Headstrong a rhino, Rampage a tiger, and Tantrum a buffallo. Of course, strictly speaking, only three of those five are predators, but they all look like impressive wild animals. Divebomb may be the worst here, seeing as his falcon mode is little more than his robot mode with the legs folded in. Still, all five of them manage to look very impressive. Razorclaw and Rampage are the best of the lot here, seeing as they are the most detailed (tails and movable jaws).

Combiner Mode: The Predacons combine into the largest of the G1 gestalts, Predaking. Standing half again taller than all other combiner robots, Predaking is an impressive figure, massive, powerful, and surprisingly posable. In addition to the usual shoulder and leg movement he can bend his elbows, swivel his hip, and his fists are such that he can twist them freely. Quite impresive for a G1 gestalt. Since his torso, formed by Razorclaw, is the same size as the arms and legs he almost looks like an overly muscled body builder. And whoever got the idea of detaching Divebomb's wings and putting them on Predaking's back deserves a raise. It makes him look even cooler. To sum it up, Predaking is easily the best and most impressive of all G1 gestalts.

Missing Parts: Headstrong is missing his sword, Divebomb and Tantrum are each missing one of their guns. Apart from that the Predacons are complete.

Remarks: It took me forever to get all five of these beauties together. Not only are the Predacons rare, they are also expensive. A Predaking head goes for twenty dollars or more at some ebay auctions. Of course it was barely a week after I got all the parts together that Takara announced that they'd be reissuing Predaking. Isn't that just Prime? Anyway, I finally got all five of them together and they were well worth the time and money spent.

Rating: A-

And for a second opinion here's the review of Tobias H.:

Prelude: Generation 1 consisted of a truly huge amount of different Transformers. Many of whom are extraordinary and innovative even by today's standards. Maybe the most fascinating concept of G1 is the combiner teams, groups consisting of 5 or 6 different robots, who can unite to form a giant, mechanical monster-Transformer.

Among the combiner teams one team stands out the most: the Predacons. They unite into the largest and by far the most posable giant robot, Predaking. But the Predacons do a pretty good job as separate figures, too, and they do deserve to be reviewed individually.

Individual reviews:$this->bbreplace('

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Razorclaw

Rampage

Tantrum

Headstrong

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