ok, i just kinda realized, predaking from season 3 was described as the ultimate autobot hunter, why does he need to hunt them. i beleive he is needed because the autobots are still divided in season 3 and so the cons are unable to find them all spread out and so need predaking to track them.

others may have already figured this out though

 

I've been wondering this too. There are only six known Autobots out and about. Why they need to be hunted or why the Autobots capture is placed higher than Megatron continuing the Cyberformation of the Earth is shocking.

If he went on with his plans to Cyberform Earth, he wouldn't need the Predacons, as the Autobots would come out fighting to save it 

 

Problem is, Transformed, he can't cyberform Earth since the Omega Lock was destroyed.

He might as well get his revenge on the scattered Autobots who have hampered him for so long, and Shockwave called in to say he's developed a good method of tracking down hiding 'Bots, hence Predaking's involvement  

 

I'm guessing that the first few episodes will take place at the exact same time... that may be kinda awesome depending on how the writers work it.

However it begins, it looks like Optimus' plan to keep everyone safe is working.


jD001

 

He can't use the Omega Lock. He can still have his team Transform earth themselves, but for that to happen, he'll need to either enslave or wipe out resistance wherever it may come from. The Omega Lock would have done it for him without lift a finger.

I still don't see why he needs the Predacons. If he just started attacking targets, the Autobots would come out of hiding and would try to defend them. The Autobots have already proven how far they're willing to go to protect humanity, why back off now?

 

How could his team transform Earth themselves? How could a single warship's crew convert an entire planet to metal without the Omega Lock?

Without the security of their base and separated from each other, an Autobot responding to a Decepticon assault is suicide. They'd be swarmed and slaughtered if they tried.

 

Optimus prime doesn't seem to think so. He told Agent Fowler in the season finale that his forces wouldn't survive an attack upon the Decepticons. We saw them raid a military base last season for components to build a Space Bridge. Now, I do think Optimus underestimates what humans can do; however, if Megatron wanted to, I think he could take over the world--he plans to do that when the Autobots are gone after all.

Megatron told us early on in the series the he's learned from his mistakes with Cybertron and that he wants a world to rule. I see him enslaving humanity, having him build his world for him, as the live action movies discussed in DotM.

 

Which is still monumentally stupid because Earth = Unicron in Prime continuity, meaning Megatron would be trying to set up his planetary empire on top of a god who is probably still pissed off at him. Although I won't be surprised if they don't ever bring that detail up again.

 

As far as Megatron knows, Unicrons is dead. Optimus achieved what the 13 Primes ever could: unleash a WMD inside his heart.

Who knows whether there is another prophesy speaking of Unicrons return--not a big fan of this spiritual stuff retconning the Transformers' universe. I liked it better when things were simpler, without prophecies and magical weapons.

With the covenants warning coming to pass, they know they don't need to worry about Unicron for eons to come. With time on there side, Shockwave may be able to work his magic, well, at least try 

 

The real reason? I imagine it's the new gimmick introduced to restore interest in the show and toy-line. Seems Hasbro predicted a bit of a lull in things...

As for a story reason? No idea, but I imagine they'll have one. Might be as simple as Shockwave randomly turning up and showing off his latest creations to the boss. They don't exactly need them, but I don't think Megatron would turn down the extra bit of help.