Whew... glad this hasn't turned into a 'Me Grimlock lead autobots' thread... well yet anyway.

 

Skids... He should lead. Why? Cuz we know next to nothin about the guy! hahaha.. He could be uber beyond belief, but we'll never know..

 

I see it more like.. 3 of them would take prime's spot (in other words, it's a tie for me) and I just think cuz Prime is just so uber at what he does (fine print: excuse) it would take 3 smaller bots to fill his shoes... Ironhide, Prowl and Jazz. They seemed to be Prime's most trusted troops..

bumblebee, that would be friggin' hilarious. But seriously i think ironhide or smokescreen, they're awesome characters and worthy leaders.

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Ironhide spent too much time in the repair bay to be leader Smokescreen seemed cool though. Hell Tracks did well in his staring roles. With his BT upgrade he should be a force to be reckoned with.

In the comics, Jazz was the 2nd in command. Prowl only took over once Jazz got kidnapped by Galvatron.

In the comics, Jazz was prime's right hand man. In the cartoons, ironhide and prowl. The problem the autobots seemed to have is that when it came right down to it, they had no true clear-cut "next in line", only subordinates that could do "in a pinch."

I would have liked Jetfire to have taken over. He tossed Megs like a rag doll in at he end of his first episode.

Prowl consideres himself to be second in command, and expects himself to be the successor of Optimus. He feels the conflict needs to be taken care of in a calculated, planned manner, and that that is the key to defeating the Decepticons.

 

Grimlock, however, would rather see someone less cerebral and more impulsive and powerful as Leader of the Autobots. If no-one else is available, he sees it as his own responsibility to take command of the Autobots. Mind you, it's not that he WANTS it, it's that he feels he NEEDS to take charge.

 

Jazz would be a third contender to take up the mantle of leadership of the Autobots. Though he is more at home with a smaller group, and would feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of leading the whole Autobot-army, he would feel the need to step up, being one with a great deal of experience in leadership. More importantly, his charm and appeal, and his talent to make friendships with virtually everyone, would be a great asset for him.

 

Where Grimlock would lead by force, almost scaring his soldiers into following his tactics, Prowl would rely on logic to convine his underlings to listen to him. But Jazz would have the trust of his followers, who would follow him to the Pit and back because of his friendship.

:pfx.

 

good observations!

:pfx.

 

good observations!

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Thanks! ^_^

You are right indeed.

 

Let us look at the Decepticons. Starscream wants to be leader and in the movie he is actually crowned new leader shortly before he is killed. I do not think he would be a good leader despite his reasonable skills as commander.

 

A leader must also be able to look further than "what is directly in front of him". Prowl thinks mostly with his brain/logic center and oft does not look at the larger picture. In the final issues of the G1 comic Prowl did not see that the alliance with the Decepticons simply could not last.

 

Grimlock did and he anticipated it. But later he rushed after a single Decepticon without considering it was a trap. So I would hardly call him the best leader. A good leader has long term vision, is cautious when it is nessecary and bold when required.

 

Most great leaders in military history have also had a lot of luck. But a good leader will try to make the situation so that he can get lucky. For instance, the weather is unpredicable but if you make sure the sun is in your back when the attack starts then you will be lucky if the sun happens to shine. (A bit simple an explanation but it will do.  :tftongue)

 

Being a leader is more than having brains and strength though. Your followers must also be willing to follow you. This you can achieve by being charismatic in which you inspire your troops or fear.

 

Megatron led trough fear and the same can be said for Galvatron. If a Decepticon did not do as asked then he was in trouble. So one would do everything one could to avoid that.

 

The downside to this leadership style is that one can end up with rebellions. Like almost happened in Webworld.

 

I once read a post of someone who claimed that Cyclonus who did not want to become the new Starscream brought Galvatron back. He assumed leader ship but since Cyclonus was controlling him, he was actually the Decepticon leader.

 

Not sure if that was actually the case but that is the best way to lead as no one suspects you. One can also have a subordinate take chare and lead a mission. If it fails you blame and execute him.

 

If it is a huge success you can say it was your plan and take the credit.

Agreed. Leadership is a trait that is comprised of intelligence, foresight, discipline, charisma and tactics, amongst others. Not everyone has all of these, and even those who do don't have them in equal amounts.