Transformers: 9 Strongest Optimus Prime Versions, Ranked

Key Takeaways

• Action Master Prime defeated Megatron but had low durability, eventually killed by Rodimus Prime.
• Gen 1 Optimus Prime showed impressive strength by outmatching Megatron after a planet-destroying explosion.
• Michael Bay Optimus Prime is a skilled fighter, surviving multiple attacks and tearing through enemies ruthlessly.

When it comes to the Transformers franchise and pop culture as a whole, many fans agree that Optimus Prime is one of the greatest fictional leaders of all time. Since 1984, Optimus Prime has had many different opponents, from evenly-matched foes like Megatron to multiversal threats like Unicron. Whether Optimus is using his physical strength or tactical genius, he is a character who is always better to fight alongside than against.

Over the years, fans have enjoyed various iterations of Optimus Prime, from weaker, more grounded portrayals to universe-level powerhouses. In this list, we will be looking at Optimus Prime variants from across many different types of media, like comics, TV shows, animations, and live-action movies, and determining which of them is the strongest.

9 The Action Master

Optimus Prime Appears In Marvel Transformers, Generation 2, And Regeneration 1

• Created By: Simon Furman
• First Appearance: Transformers Marvel UK ‘The Price of Life!’ (issue #255)
• Status: Dead, Transformers Marvel UK ‘Peace’ (issue #262)

Action Master Prime was reborn after Power Master Prime died during his battle with Unicron. The Last Autobot combined the remaining parts of Power Master Optimus Prime and Hi-Q to create Action Master Prime. Although his time in print was short-lived, we do have some significant feats that can help us rank his power.

In Generation 2, Action Master Prime manages to go toe to toe with Jhiaxus, which is no easy feat. Meanwhile, in Regeneration 1, Action Master Prime did manage to defeat Megatron by tearing out his Spark. However, during his battle with Jhiaxus, he sustained significant damage, showcasing his low durability in this iteration, and he was eventually killed by Rodimus Prime at the end of the Regeneration 1 run.

8 Generation 1

The Original Optimus Prime

• Created By: Hasbro
• First Appearance: Transformers: Season 1, Episode 1 (“More Than Meets the Eye Part 1”)
• Status: Dead, Transformers: The Movie

A fan favorite to most, Gen 1 Optimus Prime is the archetype that all Optimus Prime’s are built upon. Formerly Orin Pax, Optimus Prime was upgraded from a regular Autobot into a powerful warrior by Alpha Trion. This version of Optimus Prime has shown significant durability, even when being completely torn apart, Gen 1 Optimus Prime managed to maintain control of his body parts before he was rebuilt. However, he did eventually die during Transformers: The Movie after a battle with Megaton.

This variant of Optimus Prime has shown some impressive feats of strength. During an episode of the Gen 1 cartoon “The Ultimate Doom – Part 3”, Megatron survives a planet-destroying explosion, coming out with only minor damage. However, Prime manages to deal significantly more damage to Megatron, suggesting his strength succeeds that of a planet-destroying explosion.

7 Transformers Armada

Optimus Prime From The Transformers Armada Series

• Created By: Chris Sarracini
• First Appearance: Transformers: Armada (issue #1)
• Status: Dead, Transformers: Armada (issue #18)

Optimus Prime from Transformers Armada is one of the most skilled hand-to-hand combatants in this ranking, consistently besting his opponents. In the episode “Mortal Combat” of the Armada cartoon, Prime defeats Megatron without the Matrix of Leadership, a tool that most other Primes rely on. This version of Prime can also enter a super mode and can combine with his trailer. When doing this, he gains increased strength, power, and durability.

Armada Optimus Prime unfortunately has some inconsistent durability feats that stop him from being ranked any higher. On one hand, the only way Armada Optimus Prime was defeated was by being shot by the Hydra Canon, noted as the most powerful weapon in existence combining the Star Saber, the Skyboom Shield, and the Requiem Blaster. On the other hand, this version of Optimus has been visibly hurt by a small group of Mini-Cons, suggesting his durability is lower than others in this ranking.

6 Transformers Prime

Optimus Prime From The Transformers: Prime Series

• Created By: Hasbro
• First Appearance: Transformers: Prime – Season 1, Episode 1 (“Darkness Rising: Part 1”)​​​​​​​
• Status: Dead, Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising

Optimus Prime fromTransformers: Prime is an underrated powerhouse, having faced down the likes of Predaking, Dreadwing, Skyquake, and Megatron while holding his own. He has shown impressive feats of power, wielding the Star Saber, one of the most powerful weapons in the universe.

Throughout the show, this version of Optimus Prime repeatedly shows how durable he is during his many battles with Megatron and other powerful foes. Despite being close to death, this version managed to survive a massive explosion during the destruction of the Autobot base. However, he isn’t invincible. During season 1 of Transformers: Prime, we see Prime brought to near death by exposure to extreme cold, a weakness that others higher on this list don’t seem to share.

5 Bayverse

Optimus Prime From The Michael Bay Movies

• Created By: Michael Bay
• First Appearance: Transformers (2007)​​​​​​​
• Status: Alive

Optimus Prime from the Michael Bay movies is without a doubt the most skilled fighter on this list, repeatedly facing off against multiple enemies at once, like his encounter with Megatron and the Fallen. This version of Prime is perhaps the most aggressive and ruthless iteration of Prime ever, never giving it a second thought while he tears through Decepticons.

Bayverse Optimus Prime has shown impressive durability, surviving attacks from Megatron and Sentinel Prime at the same time, and even surviving a shot through the chest from Lockdown. One of this Prime’s most impressive feats of strength is when he effortlessly backhands Grimlock, sending him flying. In Age of Extinction, this version of Optimus Prime also has built-in flight tech, allowing him to fly without adding any extra bulk and weight like others on this ranking.

4 Transformers: Cybertron

Optimus Prime From Transformers: Cyberton

• Created By: Hasbro
• First Appearance: Transformers: Cybertron – Season 1, Episode 1 (Hidden)​​​​​​​
• Status: Alive

Transformers: Cybertron has an over-the-top anime style with acts in this version of Optimus Prime’s favor. He is one of the strongest versions of Optimus Prime ever, managing to wield Metroplex’s ax, which is more than three times bigger than Optimus himself. He has gone toe-to-toe with some of the most powerful villains in the universe, like Galvatron.

This version of Optimus is one of the best hand-to-hand fighters in this ranking, using the Cybertronian martial art known as Metalico to best his opponents. He also has a super mode, allowing him to combine with his trailer and gain increased firepower, speed, and the ability to fly.

3 Powermaster

Optimus Prime From Marvel Transformers

• Created By: Bob Budiansky
• First Appearance: Transformers Marvel US ‘People Power!’ (issue #42)​​​​​​​
• Status: Dead, Transformers Marvel US ‘On The Edge of Extinction!’ (issue #75)

Powermaster Optimus Prime lives up to the name. He is one of the most powerful versions of Optimus Prime ever. He is powerful enough to go toe-to-toe with Galvatron and Grimlock, and easily shoots Dreadwing and Darkwing out of the sky. This version of Prime once took on Scorponok’s entire army by himself, and with relative ease.

Powermaster Prime is also one of the most durable Primes ever. He has consistently survived damage that would usually take down even the most durable Transformers. He has survived attacks from Scorponok and a point-blank shot from the Matrix of Leadership, which is usually a fatal blow. He was only defeated when he flew the Matrix of Leadership into Unicron, causing Unicron’s destruction. During his death, Unicron lets out an explosion of godly energy which ultimately defeats Prime. The only thing stopping this version of Prime from being ranked higher is his reliance on Hi-Q.

2 IDW

Optimus Prime From IDW Comics

• Created By: Simon Furman
• First Appearance: Transformers: Infiltration (issue #0)​​​​​​​
• Status: Dead, The Transformers (issue #24)

IDW Prime is perhaps the most popular version of Optimus Prime in print. This version of Prime has some of the best durability in this ranking. He has survived the destruction of a space bridge, meaning he survived a power strong enough to rip apart space and time. He also survived being trapped in an antimatter chamber, withstood a blast from Nova Prime, and survived being shot by Shockwave, who at the time had the power to bend space and time itself.

IDW Prime’s strength is no joke either, managing to penetrate Sixshot’s armor, made of metals from a dying star, which beforehand was thought to be indestructible. He was also able to take out Menasor, Monstructor, and Thunderwing with relative ease. Despite his great power, this version of Prime often holds back his true strength, much like his Generation 1 counterpart.

1 Alternity Prime

Every Optimus Prime In One Being

• Created By: Takara Tomy
• First Appearance: Transformers: Alternity (issue #0)​​​​​​​
• Status: Alive

Although this is somewhat of a cop-out, Alternity Prime has to be the number one spot in this ranking. When Optimus received a warning that Megatron was going to be summoning the devastating Hytherion, the “Beast of Time”, to help combat a being of pure evil, Optimus Prime joined the Alternity, a powerful race of hyperdimensional beings.

Alternity Prime has god-like powers, able to transcend the multiverse itself. With his unimaginable power, Alternity Prime has the abilities, power, memories, skills, and experiences of all the past and future Optimus Primes across all existence, essentially making Alternity Prime the ultimate version of Optimus Prime by combining every other version of Optimus Prime into one superbeing.