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Why did Knockout join the Autobots?

Published in Transformers Prime Lore 2 mins read

Knockout joined the Autobots primarily to save Cybertron from the existential threat posed by Unicron. While initially a loyal Decepticon, the survival of their home planet superseded his allegiance to Megatron's cause.

Knockout's Pivotal Shift to the Autobot Faction

Knockout, the vain and often sadistic Decepticon medic, made a significant and surprising switch in allegiance during a critical period in the history of Cybertron. This decision was not rooted in a sudden change of heart regarding the Autobot-Decepticon conflict, but rather a pragmatic choice driven by an urgent need to protect his home world.

The Unicron Threat: A Shared Enemy

The catalyst for Knockout's temporary, and later permanent, shift was the emergence of Unicron, the Chaos-Bringer, from the very core of Cybertron. This event threatened to destroy the planet itself, making the long-standing Autobot-Decepticon war seem trivial in comparison.

  • Existential Danger: Unicron's reawakening presented a threat so monumental that it demanded a united front from all Cybertronians, regardless of their faction.
  • Moral Imperative: Interestingly, Knockout demonstrated a surprising sense of morals when Cybertron's very existence was at stake. He recognized that the survival of their species and planet was paramount, compelling him to side with his former enemies, the Autobots, to combat this universal evil.
  • Common Goal: Both Autobots and Decepticons shared the immediate and desperate goal of stopping Unicron from consuming or destroying Cybertron.

From Decepticon to Autobot: A Journey of Allegiance

Knockout's progression from dedicated Decepticon to Autobot ally can be summarized as follows:

Phase Primary Allegiance Key Event/Reason
Pre-Unicron Conflict Decepticon Served as Megatron's chief medic and occasional enforcer, loyal to the cause.
During Unicron Crisis Autobot-aligned Temporarily allied with the Autobots to repel Unicron and save Cybertron.
Post-War Resolution Autobot Formally joined the Autobots after Megatron disbanded the Decepticons.

Following the resolution of the Unicron crisis and Megatron's subsequent decision to disband the Decepticons, Knockout found himself without a faction. Given his instrumental role alongside the Autobots in saving Cybertron, and perhaps seeing a more stable future, he chose to formally align himself with Optimus Prime's forces. This final defection solidified his transition from a Decepticon to an official member of the Autobot faction.