though starscream has been all over the board since his creation, his role usually falls into one of two catagories; a schemer but always a part of he decepticon force(g1/tfp/movieverse/armada) or that of a rogue agent/element(TFA/cyberverse/cybertron). which role do you prefer him in?
He's committed to the Decepticon cause in terms of ideals. When he goes rogue, you essentially just have two Decepticon groups. It's interesting for a story or two but unsustainable as Megatron will usually find a way to bring the defectors back to the cause.
I can't choose in the poll. I like him striking out on his own, but for me it's best done later, so he's spending most of his time with the cons. Once that context is established, I really enjoy him getting success doing his own think. Like President Starscream.
both work for me tbh. and I think one needs the other to be interesting, him being rogue is more fun when you know how he is as not a rogue.
I'm not sure there's a real difference. In most cases, the only difference between "schemer" and "rogue agent" Starscream is whether he succeeds in replacing Megatron for a time (as he does spectacularly in Cybertron), or whether Megatron continues to put up with him (as he does repeatedly in G1, but not in TFA or Prime). Even in the G1 cartoon, Starscream successfully takes over momentarily during the movie, and is promptly terminated for it. That should put him in the same category as Prime and Cybertron Starscream, right? And in nearly all cases he's still a Decepticon, he just wants to be the one in charge.
Indeed, one option does not necessarily have to exclude the other...(can't choose either!) I like the image of Starscream (at least classic G1, or TFA Starscreams) being a Decepticon: same ideals, 'destroy all autobots and rule the Universe' type of goal... His faction tendency is clear, and if the Decepticon leadership (aka Megatron) tries to put a limit to his ambition and desire for power, then he might go rogue, but even then, he will still be a Decepticon. I guess this is also a 'definition' issue. Is being a Decepticon the same as being 'Megatron follower', or can a Decepticon also be someone that follows the same ideals and goals of the Decepticons, regardless of Megatron? If the latter, then clearly going "rogue" (as in = ' Megatron has the right idea of wanting to destroy all Autobots and stuff, but I am better and more competent, so I should be the one leading the whole thing and getting all the rewards..'), doesn't mean not being a Decepticon. It means you are being kicked out for 'mutiny' and classified as rogue, even if you still do, behave, and overall still do your Decepticon-ish agenda... (with our without an army) ... Interesting enough, 'rogue' G1, TFA, Cyberverse Starscreams have never defined themselves as anything but Decepticons. Even when he formed the Combaticons in G1, he never considered himself the leader of a new faction. In the contrary, all these Starscreams wanted with their rogue-ish behaviour was to be recognised as the *TRUE* leaders of the Decepticons (an ambitious - or extremist- Decepticon is still a Decepticon..after all, he wants to rule the Universe, 'even if he is the only one left in the Universe'... )
A rogue. One thing I like about Prime and TFA is that Starscream got kicked out of the Deceptions early in the show. This removes the question of "Why didn't Megatron just kill Starscream?", and actually explores Starscream as a rogue. It's fun seeing Starscream as a rogue.
