In the Japanese version of the franchise, the Decepticons are called Destron[2] or Deathtron (Japanese: デストロンDesutoron). The only exception to this naming convention is Car Robots, where the sub-group referred to as "Decepticons" in the Robots in Disguise adaptation, is known in Japan as the Combatrons (the Japanese name of the G1 subgroup known as the Combaticons).
As opposed to the Autobots' Supreme Commander, the Primes, the Decepticons' highest ranking leader is often given the title Emperor of Destruction in Japan. Beginning with the original Generation 1 cartoon, the Decepticon rallying cry has been "Decepticons attack!", as well as "Transform and rise up!" in Transformers: Animated as a play on the Autobots' "Transform and roll out!" rallying cry.
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There are different factions of the Decepticons:
Insecticons - A group of Decepticons who have insect forms and reproduce through cloning.
Constructicons - A group of Decepticons who have construction vehicle forms. They are often shown combining into Devastator.
Stunticons - A group of Decepticons who are made up of Cybertronians who can assume car form and one who can assume a truck form. They are often shown combining into Menasor.
Combaticons - A group of Decepticons who have military vehicle forms. They are often shown combining into Bruticus.
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2023)
The original animated series depicts the Decepticons as a malevolent faction of robots dedicated to the conquest of their home planet Cybertron. A war that lasted millions of years and soon that drained the planet of energy. The Autobots, the Decepticons' heroic rivals, chose to flee Cybertron in hopes of finding more resources aboard their flagship the Ark, but were pursued by the Decepticons aboard their own warship, the Nemesis.
The two vessels clashed and the Decepticons boarded the Ark. In the ensuing struggle, control over the ship was lost and the Ark crashed on prehistoric Earth. Four million years passed before a tremor in 1984 reactivated the Decepticons, who assumed alternate modes based on Earth vehicles and technology and set out to conquer the planet and plunder its resources.
However, the Autobots were also reactivated and resolved to defend the planet and its inhabitants from the Decepticons ill intent.