I'd wanna make Grimlock a Kamina-type character. Boisterous, arrogant, and hungry for greatness at first glance, yet positive and encouraging, with a gutsy bravado and bombast.

 

I like this as well - it lets him bounce off of a more serious Optimus while also not stepping on Rodimus's toes.

 

I felt like Kamina’s bravado and bombast would fit a character like Grimlock, while making him not-a-dick.

 

Take back what you said wey... >:v

 

The Dinobots are two distinct teams based on the era they hail from. Though their memberships are (largely) entirely different, their modus operandi largely remains the same: serve as the bulwark of their team and crush, stomp, smash and maybe just straight-up eat anyone dumb enough to get in their way.

The original Dinobot team consisted of--

Grimlock: The original team leader, Grimlock has a mean streak a mile wide and many Autobots are unsure as to why he's affiliated with them. After all, he clearly doesn't like Prime, doesn't care much for the squishy humans the Autobots have tasked themselves with protecting, and his mindset of "survival of the fittest" seems to fall more in line with the Decepticons than the Autobots. What keeps Grimlock on the side of the angels, however, is simply that he despises bullies. Megatron and the Decepticons abuse their strength, and despite his differences with Optimus he ultimately respects him, meaning that when push comes to shove, he'll always be there to back the Autobots up.

Slag: The Dinobots are infamous for their violent tendencies, but Slag puts them all to shame. There's nothing that brightens up his day like tearing a Decepticon in half with his bare hands or immolating them with his flame breath. His surly demeanor makes him hard to get along with even if you are a fellow Dinobot, as he's not afraid to get lippy with Grimlock. He makes no secret of his disdain for Autobot command and their various rules and regulations, and is the Dinobot that bears the closest watching.

Swoop: Swoop serves as the liason between the rest of the Dinobots and the Autobots. It's little wonder why he's been picked for this role, as he's easily the most friendly and affable of them. Though like all of the Dinobots he often finds himself disagreeing with Optimus Prime's command style, he's not so proud as to avoid giving him credit where he feels it's due. Swoop is adept at using his Pteranodon alt mode to carry out bombing runs and intimidate his opponents, as well as just to show off his flying skills.

Sludge: Sludge is easily the dimmest member of the team. Very little goes through his processor, and it often takes him a couple explanations before he gets a concept. He's incredibly tough, though, and surprisingly sensitive and sweet. To Sludge, Grimlock's orders will always supercede those of Prime's, though it's never personal. When not in the thick of battle, Sludge can usually be found laying in a field of flowers, taking an oil bath, or simply stomping to remind others that he's present.

Snarl: Snarl is not a happy camper. By far the most aloof member of the team, Snarl will follow Grimlock's orders with some mild grumbling but largely keeps his thoughts to himself. He fears never seeing his beloved home planet of Cybertron again, but the one thing he fears more than that is the possibility of the war ending and ceasing to be of any use. After all, it's in the thick of combat that Snarl truly feels alive. The solar collector panels on his dino mode can be harnessed for a great deal of destructive power, either amplifying his already prodigious strength or being released in powerful beams from his tail spikes.

Slash: The only female member of the team, Slash is the most youthful and mischievous. Though physically the weakest member of the group, she's also the fastest, able to strafe and harass the Decepticons and distract them long enough for her more powerful teammates to come in and deliver the coup de grace. This doesn't necessarily end with Decepticons, however, as she's prone to annoying other Autobots and even her fellow Dinobots out of boredom and a desire for attention. Slag has threatened to eat her a couple times, but Grimlock treats her like a little sister and she in turn idolizes him. Slash is remarkably clever and quick to pick up on new concepts, though just as easily bored and liable to throw them away in pursuit of something new.

In the distant future, long after the signing of the Pax Cybertronia, a new team of Maximals would assume the title of "Dinobot."

T-Wrecks: A staunchly dedicated Maximal, T-Wrecks has accepted the task of leading the new group of Dinobots against the Predacons. His leadership style is far more fatherly and approachable than that of Grimlock, though his performance on the battlefield is no less destructive than that of his predecessor. T-Wrecks respects Primal and is in turn allowed a fair deal of autonomy, though he's not afraid to make his voice known when he feels Primal is making a tactical error. The irony of his appearance so closely resembling that of Megatron is not lost on him.

Triceradon: Though not the brightest bulb around, Triceradon's strength, loyalty, and amiable nature have all made him a worthy second-in-command in T-Wrecks' eyes. Brave and stalwart, Triceradon will gladly follow his leader through thick and thin, and can be consistently counted on to be there for his teammates. He hopes only that his loyalty will be rewarded with theirs in turn, for it is unity that makes the Dinobots strong.

Airraptor: The pilot of the Axalon before it was given to Primal and his crew, Airraptor is a perfectionist. He will never settle for "good enough" and he hopes that his teammates never will either. His keen optics and steady hand make him an impeccable sharpshooter. He's agile and dexterous, though his frame is lightly armored compared to his colleagues and his wings are especially vulnerable. To counter this, he has made a point of playing fast and evasive.

Striker: The original Snarl rechristened, Striker's years of experience under his belt have made him a worthy advisor for T-Wrecks. Time has tempered him slightly: he's learned to appreciate the little things in life, something to give it meaning beyond mere combat for its own sake. Striker continues to fight to preserve those smaller things... plus smashing things has never stopped being fun, even all these years later.

Grimlock: The original Dinobot leader, Grimlock remains as surly, ornery, and disobedient as ever, just more focused. He chafes at being reduced to a subordinate on the team he founded, but being side-by-side with a familiar face makes it a little easier to bear. He and Striker stick close together as he teaches his comrade a great deal about the new world they find themselves in while Striker serves to get him better acclimated to the team.

Dinobot: Technically only a reserve member as he remains a core member of the Axalon crew, it was only natural that the former Predacon who christened himself "Dinobot" would eventually be inducted to the new team. The team plays well to Dinobot's warrior's code of honor and more violent tendencies, though Primal's influence means that on occasion he will serve to moderate the others should they step too far over the line. Though some, like Airraptor, distrust Dinobot due to his status as a Predacon turncoat, T-Wrecks takes Primal at his word and gladly accepts Dinobot's power and insight.

Wingfinger: The first Maximal Fossilizer, Wingfinger is a silent ninja. He prefers to stick to the shadows, letting his more bombastic colleagues pour on the heat while he sneaks around and catches them by surprise. Completely mute, Wingfinger communicates through sign language, which T-Wrecks, Airraptor and Dinobot are all thankfully fluent in.

Tricranius: Harnessing volcanic power, Tricranius burns bright. He's a bit of a loudmouth and show-off, but with good reason: he's able to burn through most anything with a touch. Able to modulate his body heat, Tricranius is able to project fireballs or spew molten lava. The fact that he glows with heat grants him little subtlety, and that's just the way he likes it.

Dracodon: Where Tricranius harnesses molten heat, Dracodon harnesses radiation. This proves to be a very versatile power, as he's able to futz with the electromagnetic spectrum, rendering himself practically invisible to the naked eye. Though by far the weakest member of the team, Dracodon is fast, nimble, and exceptionally clever. Originally granted these powers by Megatron in an attempt to create a Predacon superweapon, Dracodon is more than happy to show the Predacon criminal the fruits of his labors in full.

 

A Short History of the Dinobots​

The Dinobots were one of the most famous military units of the Great War. Created to be Autobot super soldiers, the Dinobots sided against the Autobots as often as they allied with them. No matter which side they fought for, the Dinobots only had one true allegiance—themselves.

Inception

The first Dinobots were a powerful team of super soldiers created for the Elite Guard by Wheeljack before the Great War. Wheeljack had visited the planet Biosfera and was particularly captivated by local creatures known as dinosaurs. He believed that a team of Autobots that could transform into dinosaurs would be a valuable addition to the newly formed Elite Guard. He passed this idea to Ratchet and the two of them made their proposal to Elite Guard High Command, who then gave them permission to proceed. The Dinobots were designed to thrive in battle, they were heavily armored and armed to the rivets. When the Dinobots were brought online, they were every bit the super soldiers Wheeljack promised they would be.

Rebellion

Unfortunately, their bestial alternate modes made them outcasts among the ordinary members of the Elite Guard. The Dinobots grew dissatisfied with their treatment under the Elite Guard and eventually deserted their posts, later going on a crime spree to keep their energon-guzzling bodies energized. Their rampage eventually led to Sentinel Prime's direct intervention. Sentinel recalled his experience from his own criminal past and challenged Grimlock to a duel. Sentinel proved to be Grimlock's superior in combat and defeated him. As per their agreement, the Dinobots turned themselves in to the authorities and were placed in indefinite stasis until there was an enemy to fight.

The Great War

The Dinobots would regain their freedom once the Great War began. Sentinel Prime released the Dinobots and promised them a new enemy to fight—the Decepticons. The Dinobots fought without restraint or mercy, their brutality was overlooked so long as they restricted it to Decepticons. The commando group began to see themselves as superior warriors to the Autobots and became increasingly arrogant and intolerant of non-Dinobots. Grimlock in particular began touting himself as a philosopher-warrior-king and began speaking in the third person. After the death of Sentinel Prime, the only Autobot whom the Dinobots respected, the group became increasingly insubordinate and once again abandoned the Autobots to fight their own private war against the Decepticons.

The Dinobots' arrogance and bloodthirstiness came back to haunt them when they acted on dubious intelligence and attempted to assassinate Megatron himself. Unfortunately, their source of intelligence was one of Soundwave's agents and the Dinobots walked right into a trap. The Dinobots were captured and sent to Grindcore, the infamous Decepticon penal Warworld. There, they were subject to horrific torture at the hands of the prison's brutal commandant, Gutcruncher. The Dinobots were lobotomized and had their vocal processors slashed and their transformation cogs removed. Gutcruncher then gave the Dinobots to Megatron as pets in order to curry favor with the Decepticon tyrant. Megatron put the Dinobots to work as his personal executioners, sending them from arena to arena whenever the need for public executions would arise.

Once Wheeljack and Ratchet found out what had become of the Dinobots, they led a successful rescue mission to return them to the Autobots. Although the damage to their bodies was easily repaired, the damage to their psyches was far more difficult to reverse. Grimlock did not want to appear weak and so eschewed any attempts at psychological treatment. As usual, the other Dinobots immediately fell into line with Grimlock and similarly refused counseling. Regardless, they believed killing Decepticons was the best medicine and joined the Resistance. Once Cybertron was liberated, the Dinobots continued to fight under the Autobot banner.

After The War

After the war, the Dinobots were just a few of the Autobots who were dissatisfied with the Tyrest Accords which more-or-less reset Autobot-Decepticon relations to the status quo ante bellum. Grimlock was incensed at the thought of the Decepticons getting away with their atrocities and wanted them eradicated to the last bot. He gathered like-minded Autobots and formed a breakaway faction known as the Firestormers. With an army behind him, Grimlock attempted to overthrow the Autobot government and rule the Commonwealth as a military dictator. His coup failed, and Grimlock and the other Dinobots were forced to flee the Commonwealth. Grimlock took the Firestormers to Biosfera and made it their base of operations. He then formally stepped down as leader of the Dinobots and named Slag as his successor. The Dinobots served as Grimlock's personal guard and were used by him to keep the other Firestormers in line.

Legacy

Three hundred megacycles into the Maximal Era, the Dinobots were still remembered as legendary warriors by the Maximals. By the Maximal Era, the Dinobots had expanded to become their own subspecies of Cybertronian. The Maximal Imperium granted them their own kingdom in what was once Quintesson space in exchange for their eternal fealty to the leader of the Maximals. Many Dinobots chose to serve as shocktroops in the Maximal Imperial Guard, while others became willing combatants in the Beast Wars for a chance at glory and wealth.

The legends of the Dinobots was known even in the Predacon Empire. A certain Predacon office worker became obsessed with Dinobot history and culture. The Predacon dreamed of abandoning his life of mediocrity and becoming a Dinobot warrior. By day, he droned away in a cubicle. But by night, he trained with the drill-sword and rotor shield. He could quote Grimlock's memoirs word for word and spent most of his salary enhancing his body to combat specifications. Finally, he quit his job and became a bounty hunter/mercenary. He left his old name behind and became The Dinobot With No Name, though he was commonly just called Dinobot.

Famous Dinobots

Autobot Era

• Grimlock: The first Dinobot and the first commander of the unit. The domineering Grimlock despised weakness and feared being seen as weak himself. As a result of his brutal treatment as their prisoner, Grimlock had a pathological hatred of Decepticons and sought their complete annihilation. To that end, he created the Firestormers to continue the war and stepped down from the Dinobots.
• Slag: Slag was the Dinobots' second-in-command. He harbored an intense jealousy of Grimlock and wished to one day succeed him as leader of the Dinobots. He would get his chance when Grimlock became leader of the Firestormers and made Slag the new Dinobot commander. Although Slag originally saw this as an advancement, he quickly discovered it was nothing of the sort. He still reported to Grimlock, but now had to compete with other Firestormer commanders for Grimlock's attention.
• Sludge: The most intelligent of the Dinobots, Sludge's mind was as sound as his body. He was a student of Wheeljack and learned most of his engineering skills from him. In the battlefield, Sludge's ingenuity often snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
• Snarl: The excitable Snarl was the Dinobots' main pilot. He was certified to pilot anything from a suborbital shuttle to a Titan.
• Swoop: An expert in reconnaissance, Swoop had keen observation skills. These observation skills made Swoop fairly good at reading people. Although he could theoretically be a good leader in his own right, Swoop preferred to stay back and let more egotistical Dinobots lead the way.
• Sink: The Dinobots' underwater warfare expert. Sink was ungainly on land, but graceful underwater. Sink mostly kept to himself, but he made an exception for Snarl.

Maximal Era

• Scorn III: King of the Dinobots during the reign of Cerulean Prime.
• T-Wrecks: King Scorn III's brother, commander of the Dinobot Royal Guard.
• Strayfe: Member of the Royal Guard
• Dragonstorm: The first Dinobot to become a Knight of the Covenant. Previously a member of the Royal Guard.

​

 

When I'm in more of a headcanon-y mood I'll try to put something more substantial in here but a character that I think of when I think of how I'd personally depict Grimlock, at least in some regards, is Enji Todoroki / Endeavor from My Hero Academia.

 

So would he abuse the other Dinobots?

 

The definitive Dinobot: