Top Ten – G1 Transformers Groups/Teams

TOP TEN TRANSFORMERS GROUP/TEAMS FROM HASBRO’S G1 LINE

The Toy Collectors Guide continues our new monthly feature that highlights various toy lines with a emphasis on a top ten, because honestly, who doesn’t love a good top ten list!

This month, we put the spotlight on the Transformers line with the TOP TEN TRANSFORMERS GROUP/TEAMS FROM HASBRO’S G1 LINE. Hasbro created some pretty memorable and iconic characters for their G1 Transformers action figure line, and many belonged to specific groups or teams that were separate from the standard Autobots or Decepticons. This list puts the spotlight on those amazing and creative groups and teams from Hasbro’s 1980’s G1 line.

Top Ten lists are usually subjective by the author, and that is absolutely the case here as well. These lists are meant to inspire conversation and debate, so please feel free to leave a comment with who would make your list. Without further ado, here is November’s Top Ten list. We hope you enjoy and have some fun with it.

Top Ten – Transformers Groups/Teams From Hasbro’s G1 Line

Number 10

TECHNOBOTS
(Afterburner, Lightspeed, Nosecone, Strafe, Scattershot)

Afterburner

Lightspeed

Nosecone

Released in 1987

The Technobots were a group of Autobots that are able to transform into various futuristic vehicles. They included Afterburner, Lightspeed, Nosecone, Strafe and their leader Scattershot. They came together to form Computron! Fun Fact: On the sitcom “The Office”, the team pretended to have an AI assistant named Computron to impress a banker looking for discrepancies. The episode was hilarious, but more importantly thrust the Technobots onto my Top Ten list!


Number 9

SEACONS
(Nautilator, Overbite, Seawing, Skalor, Snap Trap, Tentakil)

Nautilator

Skalor

Tentakil

Released in 1988

The Seacons are a team of Decepticons made up of: Nautilator, Overbite, Seawing, Skalor, Tentakil and their leader Snap Trap. They transform into sea creatures and merge together to form the mighty Piranacon, one of the harder to find Transformer Gift Set Multipacks.


Number 8

PROTECTOBOTS
(Hot Spot, Blades, First Aid, Streetwise, Groove)

Blades

First Aid

Streetwise

Released in 1986

The Protectobots were a group of Autobots that are able to transform into various first responder vehicles. Included in the group are Blades, First Aid, Streetwise, Groove and their leader Hot Spot. They can combine to form the valiant Defensor.


Number 7

INSECTICONS – Series 1
(Shrapnel, Kickback, Bombshell)

Bombshell

Kickback

Shrapnel

Released in 1985

The Insecticons are a trio of Decepticons who transform into insect-like forms, often causing chaos and confusion. The Series One team is comprised of Bombshell, Kickback and Shrapnel. A second series of Insecticons were also released with Barrage, Chop Shop, Ransack and Venom. The coolest thing about these guys is they turn into awesome looking bugs, such as a Grasshopper, Stag Beetle or Rhinoceros Beetle.


Number 6

COMBATICONS
(Onslaught, Brawl, Vortex, Blast Off, Swindle)

Blast Off

Brawl

Vortex

Released in 1986

The Combaticons were a group of Decepticons that transform into various military and fighting vehicles. They are made up of Blast Off, Brawl, Swindle, Vortex and their leader Onslaught. They can combine into the powerful Bruticus, forming a menacing presence on the battlefield.


Number 5

MONSTERBOTS
(Doublecross, Grotusque, Repugnus)

Doublecross

Grotusque

Repugnus

Released in 1987

The Monsterbots were a small group of Autobots that fought for the side of good, but just had that monster kind of look about them. They even had monster sounding names, such as Doublecross, Grotusque and Repugnus.


Number 4

AERIALBOTS
(Silverbolt, Air Raid, Fireflight, Skydive, Slingshot)

Air Raid

Fireflight

Slingshot

Released in 1986

The Aerialbots were another fantastic team released in 1987, made up of Air Raid, Fireflight, Skydive, Slingshot and their leader Silverbolt. They specialized in aerial combat, and could combine to form the mighty Superion.


Number 3

CONSTRUCTICONS
(Scrapper, Hook, Long Haul, Bonecrusher, Mixmaster, Scavenger)

Scrapper

Bonecrusher

Scavenger

Released in 1985

What kid doesn’t love Kids construction vehicles, and Hasbro knew that too, so they gave us the Constructicons. The group of Decepticons was made up of: Scrapper, Hook, Long Haul, Bonecrusher, Mixmaster and Scavenger. They were builders and engineers who can combine to form the massive Devastator, a formidable force on the battlefield.


Number 2

PREDACONS
(Razorclaw, Divebomb, Headstrong, Tantrum, Rampage)

Razorclaw

Divebomb

Rampage

Released in 1986

 The Predacons were made up of Razorclaw, Divebomb, Headstrong, Tantrum and Rampage. They are a team of Decepticons that transformed into powerful and savage animals, and eventually merge to create the mighty Predaking, the largest of the combined Transformers.


Number 1

DINOBOTS
(Grimlock, Slag, Sludge, Snarl, Swoop)

Grimlock

Snarl

Swoop

Released in 1985

And now for the big NUMBER ONE Team or Group from Hasbro’s G1 Transformers line….THE DINOBOTS!!! Did you really expect anyone else? This team of awesome Autobots transforms into robotic dinosaurs, and that’s just incredibly cool! The team was made up on Snarl, Slag, Sludge, Swoop and of course, their leader, Grimlock. These guys were known for their independent and rebellious nature, and exceled in fighting. The Dinobots were also beautifully designed and fun to play with. When you put all of this together, you get the coolest group of Transformers that Hasbro ever put on store shelves!


HONORABLE MENTION

Here are a few more awesome Groups or Teams that just missed the cut:

Stunticons (Breakdown, Dead End, Drag Strip, Wildrider, Motormaster) – 1986
The Stunticons are a group of five rather rebellious Decepticons that transform into high-speed vehicles with fast sounding names. They merge together to create the mighty Menasor.

Terrorcons (Blot, Cutthroat, Hun-Gurrr, Rippersnapper, Sinnertwin) – 1987
The Terrorcons were a group of Decepticons that transformed into various robotic monsters. They also came together to form the formidable Abdominus, which is just ominous sounding.

Triggerbots/Triggercons (Backstreet, Crankcase, Dogfight, Override, Ruckus, Windsweeper) – 1988 The Triggerbots and Triggercons are a group of Autobots and Decepticons that house concealed heavy duty weapons that can flip out whenever needed.

Triple Changers (Astrotrain, Blitzwing, Broadside, Octane, Sandstorm, Springer) – 1985/1986
These guys don’t necessarily fall into the traditional sense of a themed team, but they still make honorable mention because they were just plain awesome!

We hope you enjoyed this month’s TOP TEN LIST! Be sure to check out our other Top Ten Lists from past months, Thanks.

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