Character Specific Rivalries

[Dan]

I've been re-watching some of the original cartoon and thinking about the specific rivalries explored. One thing I notice is that, in Transformers, there is a lack of one-to-one correspondence between personal rivals, as was common in other 80s toy lines.

Of course, there's Optimus Prime versus Megatron, but later on things get more complicated, with Rodimus Prime versus Galvatron, Ultra Magnus versus Galvatron, and Ultra Magnus versus Cyclonus.

The same is true of sub-groups and gestalts. Yes we have Dinobots versus Constructicons, but we also have Devastator versus Omega Supreme.

Within G1 but beyond the cartoon, there's other patterns too. The box art always suggested to me Dinobots versus Insecticons, which I think would have been interesting to see in-story.

So, my questions then are, what are your favourite rivalries, and what neglected rivalries would you have liked to see, in G1 or other continuities?

[Paulbot]

Ratchet and Lockdown from Animated, kinda repeated in the movies

Bulkhead and Breakdown in Prime

Always saw G1 Bumblebee and Ravage as rivals, because they were both the small spies I guess

Blaster and Soundwave are usually set up as rivals and fought to the death in Japan

Many teams have a rival team combines definitely (Stunticons and Aerialbots, Combaticons and Protectobots, Technobots and Terrorcons) but also smaller teams (Triggerbots vs Triggercons, Sparkabots vs Firecons)

Apparently Sky Lynx was meant to be Predaking’s rival but don’t think that ever happened anywhere.

Same team rivals are interesting too, like Scourge and SkyByte in RID

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Any time you get two factional citybots they'll generally be Rivals.

Apparently Sky Lynx was meant to be Predaking’s rival but don’t think that ever happened anywhere.

Ehh, the G1 cartoon sort of showed it, but mostly in the same way that the Devastator-Dinobots rivalry was shown - they were just the main 2 Big Hitters around.

The rivalry I would have liked to see is Dinobots VS Predacons, with the Dinos having the edge in strength, size, and armor but the Predacons having greater speed and agility, plus their combined form. Monsterbots VS Insecticons could have been interesting too.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

The rivalry I would have liked to see is Dinobots VS Predacons, with the Dinos having the edge in strength, size, and armor but the Predacons having greater speed and agility, plus their combined form. Monsterbots VS Insecticons could have been interesting too.

Dinobots VS Predacons was explored( more like touched on actually) in the UK comic, I specifically remember one section called "What's in a name," which had a major Divebomb/Swoop focus. And the rest of the Dinobots rocked up towards the end.
Even though they were generations apart, I reckon the Monsterbots VS the Horrorcons would have been a nice match up.

[GoktimusPrime]

Ultra Magnus vs Galvatron is my favourite rivalry.

Neglected rivalries that I'd like to see more of include...
+ Blaster vs Straxus
+ Jazz vs Starscream (battle of the second-in-commands)
+ Wreckers vs Mayhems
+ Dinobots vs Dino Force
+ Powerdasher vs Reflector
+ Autobot vs Decepticon Triple Changers
+ Hubcap vs Wheelie (the '86 Mini-Bot who deserved more media coverage vs the one who didn't )
+ Autobot Clones vs Decepticon Clones
+ Triggerbots vs Triggercons
+ Sparkabots vs Firecons
+ Xaaron vs Tarn (one who can't transform vs one who's addicted to transforming)
+ Thunder Clash vs Skyquake
+ Pyro vs Clench

I'm just gonna stop at G1 cos I'll be here all day if I went any further.