After watching a lot of G1 the other night and seeing how the Autobots are hopeless without their leader since he's the only one that can get anything done, I got to thinking which Decepticons are capable of single-handedly defeating Optimus Prime. I guess I'm talking a 1-on-1 battle, just like in Heavy Metal War (without the cheating). And no combiners or cities, please.

 

Weellll... if you keep going in G1, there's this movie, see, and I think that'll answer alot of your questions...  
Basically, not too many 'Cons... most 'Con weapons pretty much just bounce off of Prime...

 

Sixshot FTW

 

Sixshot or Galvatron.

 

Megatron. And that's it. Anyone else would recieve a surgical and efficient execution.

 

Shockwave, of course.

 

Megatron(D'uh),Galvatron,Motor master,and Shockwave

 

Didn't Optimus practically destroy Motormaster in a head-to-head crash in one episode?

 

It's funny, but I just see Galvatron getting his ASS handed to him by Prime. He's insane!! For that reason, I think he would so frustrated when Prime didn't just fall at his feet, that he would act irrational, start shooting in every direction, and get a quick lesson in pain.

Shockwave could beat him, but not in a direct fight. It would take multiple encounters.

 

Trypticon...?

 

No cities or combiners, though.

I'd say if we get far enough into the later G1 continuity, the Japanese series specifically, we end up with some insanely powered up guys. Deathsaurus could probably do it, he can go toe to toe with the likes of God Ginrai who's arguably a much more powered up Optimus.

Thing is, Optimus is a tenacious fighter. He'll keep going and going, never giving up, right to his last bit of strength. He'll figure out a weakness and go for it. He's not just strong, he's also determined and well-seasoned. One on one, nobody can take him, not even Megatron or Galvatron or Deathsaurus even. When it's said and done, Optimus' experience will shine through, he'll find the opening and knock them down and out.

 

Somebody summon me?

 

I'm pretty sure Buzzsaw could take down Prime.

 

I can't think of any. Sixshot maybe?

 

Prime's evil twin.

He exists right?

 

I'm thinkin sixshot also, megs had hot rod interfere, he woulda been toast other wise, and not too sure about gav or shockwave.

But i totally agree with Sol Fury, Prime just doesn't give up.

My favorite part, in any tf cannon or media, is in DW vol 1, when prime faces off with Devistator and blows his face off. I got goosebumps from a comic. Awsome.

 

You mean like while Galvy's going crazy and all, Optimus keeps his cool and eventually uses his opponent's irrational rage and poor judgement against him?

Most likely depends on which version. Of course G1 cartoon Shockwave wasn't necessarily that weak, just incredibly incompetent and stiff XD

IDW Shockwave on the other hand... while its not certain how much difference of power there is between him and Megs/Optimus, but he pwned the Dynobots (the way they're called here) after gettin' pissed off big time.

 

SIXSHOT six ways to sunday and megatron or galvatron while he was still sane when he had the powers of unicron

 

I agree with Sol too about Prime's determination in battle. That alone drives him further than most.

And i too loved the DW comic issue where Prime shoots right in Devastator's face!

To be honest in the G1 cartoon, Optimus was often able to out-think Megatron and overthrow most of his schemes; that applied to how he battled him in direct combat too. So alot of the time Megatron just came across as a fool in comparison with Optimus, who was apparently stronger and smarter than Megatron (who only matched his rival in level of ruthlessness).