Since the combiners haven't really shown very many unique characteristics (at least not in their G1 appearances) I like to theorize how they would actually function in various combat scenarios. Devastator: A dense tank like hulking brute, designed for destruction, busting Autobot defenses. He lacks the mobility and ranged firepower as some of the other combiners. What Devastator lacks in arsenal, explosives, mines and energy projection, he makes up for in pure metal smashing power. Even the Dinobots are mindful of him as he can crack them open! Defensor: Defensor is a balanced warrior system, combining agility, strength and armor. Defensor is one of the few Autobots (like Trailbreaker) that can generate a massive protective field around himself which can absorb enemy artillery and energy based attacks. Defensor is a great titan that can bolster an Autobot battalion or defend Autobot moon bases from Decepticon raids. Bruticus: Much lighter armored in comparison to Devastator, Bruticus carries a massive cache of destructive firepower for long range assaults. Bruticis is adept and clearing waves of ground troops and blasting Autobot defense structures from a distance. Computron: Is a warrior and super computer all rolled into one. As powerful as Bruticus, but lacking the strength of Devastator, Computron's arsenal of energy weapons and battle tactics makes up for his less dense superstructure. Computron can analyze and predict his enemies strategies which allows him to survive onslaughts from more powerful combiners. Predaking: Somewhere between Devastator's strength and Bruticus' heavy artillery is Predaking. To make up for his lack of armor, he carries a giant sword into battle, to make up for his lack of steel and stone smashing power, but combines ferocity and high mobility. Predaking is easily one of the most powerful single combat combiners. Abominus: A powerful brute that lumbers fearlessly into battle- even at risk of his own destruction, Abominus takes hits and keeps dishing them out. Even if it loses a limb in the process it will keep on pursuing its victim without regard for itself or its fellow Deceptions. Superion: Superion is a balanced warrior, with long range firepower, that sits somewhere between Bruticus and Abominus. While he cannot out muscle a combiner like Abominus he can out maneuver him. Superion possesses all the intelligence and analytic capabilities of any advanced cybertronian system- but is arrogant. Piranacon: Like Abominus, Pirancon is built for fighting, and is relentless in his assault- but unlike Abominus who cannot take direction- due to a malfunction in his programming, Piranacon is a tactician as well as a brutish killing machine. While other combiners can operate while submerged in water and other environmental hazards, Piranacon thrives in water.
Bruticus - I can remember all the guys Menasor - I can remember these guys, too Devastator - I like his Movie version better, wacky robit monsters! Abominus - more wacky robit monsters! Piranacon - wacky water robit monsters! They should totally be reimagined a la GYO (gashunk gashunk) Predaking - not-so-wacky robit animals, alright then Superion - staring at the wiki and I still can't tell them apart Defensor - Red Alert's team! ... "No"???? Computron - jeepers G1, that's more than enough red-and-white Autobots ... there's more? Real answer? *shrug* A literal interpretation of their vehicle mode theme, I guess. Like, Devastator's a ginormous construction machine repurposed as a wrecking ball to to his sheer size, Menasor is all about speed and more of a "mid-boss" type of threat, Bruticus is the only one actually designed for combat...
devastator is the only one i consider necessary to my collection, being the original and not the tired scramble city thing superion is cool, five jets could make for some super cool combination sequences defensor is alright. i like his head design, at least menasor is neat, i guess? scale issues abound sadly i forget bruticus exists -combined head is cool, but the individual combaticons are pretty solid characters by themselves abominus - monsters, sweet monstructor - abominations, sweet piranacon? cool, i get the four mold reuses mixed up though lol. plus the name is sorta doofy predaking - i love the individual components and combined mode is absolutely badass computron - he exists, i guess. we do need more science bots so his components make for good pals w wheeljack and perceptor tripredacus - best non-devy, non-pred combiner there is magnaboss - kinda he-manish, uncanny valley almost? just doofy overall
I own Devastator and the individual bots are pretty bad. Alt modes are great and combined mode is quite good. I did have Silverbolt and Hotspot. They were both great in bot and alt modes, but didn't scale with the MP collection so I sold them
God Tier: Menasor, Bruticus Great Tier: Devastator, Defensor Okay Tier: Superion Only Care About It Because there's a toy of it tier: Computron Cool Combined Form but eh: Predaking, Liokaiser Other combiners I don't care as characters. I really never cared much for combiners, the new toyline made me love them more.
Devastator: The O.G. Did that thing in the movie. Bruticus: Him smash. Menasor: Blaaragrhghaghghagharhghghh. Abominus: Scary monsters, also goes blaahrghsgrhough. I like him. Monstructor: More scary monsters. Blaarrrrghghaghaghgshdghagehrg Predaking: Made of friendly animals, has a big sword. Piranacon/King Poseidon: YEEGIGIGIGIGIGIGIGIGIG GIGIGI GIGIGIGIGIYEEEEEGIGIGIGIGI!!! Superion: Planes. Defensor: Rescue bots before it was cool. First Aid is one of them, he's a three dimensional character! Computron: Grimlock's violent nerd children. My favourite Autobot Combiner just because I love the Technobots' alt-modes.
