View source for Decepticon

{{short description|Faction of sentient robots from the Transformers universe}}
{{other uses}}
{{redirect|Deceptacon}}
{{distinguish|Deception (disambiguation)}}
{{multiple issues|section=|
{{in-universe|subject=Transformers|date=August 2025}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2023}}
{{notability|date=May 2024}}
}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox comics organization <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
|image =Decepticon small.jpg
|imagesize =200px
|caption =Decepticon insignia
|debut =''[[Transformers (comics)|The Transformers]]'' #1 (September 1984)
|publisher = [[Marvel Comics]], [[IDW Publishing]], [[Dreamwave Productions]], [[Devil's Due Publishing]], [[Fun Publications]]
|organization =y
|owners =[[Megatron]]/[[Galvatron]] (stated in exodus and the cartoon), [[Starscream]], [[Steeljaw]], Liege Maximo, [[Unicron]], The Fallen/Megatronus (in the movie series)
|fullroster =
|base ='''Homeworld:''' Kaon, Cybertron<br/>'''Other:''' Chaar, the ''Victory'' (G1), the ''Megastar'' (RID), [[Trypticon|Decepticon City]] (G1), the ''[[Nemesis (Transformers)|Nemesis]]'' (G1, ROTF, Animated, SG, Prime).
|sortkey =Decepticon
}}

The '''Decepticons''' are a fictional faction of [[sentient robot]]s in the ''[[Transformers (toy line)|Transformers]]'' multimedia franchise.<ref>{{cite news|title= Transformers: Decepticons Review|publisher= IGN|url= http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/800/800071p1.html|access-date= 9 September 2010}}<br />- {{cite news|title= DVD Review: Transformers The Complete First Season 25th Anniversary|publisher= Mania.com|url= http://www.mania.com/dvd-review-transformers-complete-first-season-25th-anniversary_article_115714.html|access-date= 7 September 2010|archive-date= 20 June 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090620060816/http://www.mania.com/dvd-review-transformers-complete-first-season-25th-anniversary_article_115714.html|url-status= dead}}<br />- {{cite news|title= A brief history of the Transformers|work= Malaysia Star|url= http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2004/11/9/features/20041108160036&sec=features|access-date= 9 September 2010}}</ref> Serving as the main antagonists in the franchise, their goals include conquering their fictional homeworld [[planet]] Cybertron, defeating the [[Autobots]], and achieving universal domination.

==Description==
They are depicted as a faction of sentient robotic lifeforms led by [[Megatron]], identified by a purple face-like insignia and red eyes (while the Autobots have blue eyes). 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'''<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CF8AjVJXvH0C&q=autobot+cybertrons+in+japan&pg=PA114|title=Totally Tubular '80s Toys|first=Mark|last=Bellomo|date=15 September 2010|publisher=Krause Publications|isbn=9781440216473|access-date=24 November 2017|via=Google Books|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030726/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=CF8AjVJXvH0C&pg=PA114&dq=autobot+cybertrons+in+japan&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi6noiL1tfXAhXIalAKHadzAEIQuwUIMTAB|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> or '''Deathtron''' ({{langx|ja|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 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 TV series)|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.

==Depictions in media==
===''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 the 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 its inhabitants from the Decepticons' ill intent.

===''Transformers: EarthSpark''===
{{main|Transformers: EarthSpark}}
Under Megatron, the Decepticons originally fought the war on the ideals of creating a more equal Cybertron. With the war's expansion to Earth, however, Megatron soon came to realize how far his faction had strayed from his original vision and readily joined the Autobots in hopes of ending the conflict. When Megatron seemingly destroyed the AllSpark in the final battle of the war on Earth, the Decepticons found themselves stranded on Earth as the SpaceBridge to Cybertron was destroyed along with it. For his actions, Megatron was falsely branded a traitor by many of his former soldiers, such as Shockwave and Soundwave. Stranded on Earth, the Decepticons were forced to go on the run to evade imprisonment by the secret human organization G.H.O.S.T. and had to resort to stealing Energon.

===''Transformers One'' (2024)===
{{main|Transformers One}}
In this animated film, the Decepticons were formerly known as the Cybertronian High Guard, who worked for the original Primes. Led by Starscream, they know that they witnessed Sentinel Prime's betrayal long ago and have been seeking revenge ever since while remaining in hiding. After D-16 defeats Starscream in a fight, he becomes the new leader of the High Guard, after he and some of them are captured by Sentinel's guards. Some of the remaining High Guard are led by Orion Pax and Elita-1 to confront Sentinel and expose him for his crimes. In the face of this rebellion and Sentinel's death, the High Guard is led by D-16, now renamed Megatron, who orders them to destroy Iacon with him. However, after he is defeated by Orion, who is now renamed Optimus Prime, in the end, Megatron, later, with revenge against Optimus on his mind, and vowing that the feud between them is far from over, along with the High Guard are exiled from Iacon for their war crimes and returned to their hidden location in the desert. The Decepticons, now reformed and led by Megatron, declare war against the newly-christened Autobots, who are now led by Optimus Prime, in order to take control of Cybertron, thus leads to the beginning of the Great Cybertronian War, which in turn would lead to the destruction of Cybertron itself.

==See also==
* [[Autobot]]
* [[Maximal (Transformers)]]
* {{section link|List of The Transformers (TV series) characters|Predacons}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{CCBYSASource|sourcepath=https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Decepticon|sourcearticle=Decepticon|revision=1249448382|author(s)=https://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/index.php?title=Decepticon&action=history}}

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