If you were a child of the ’90s, there’s a good chance Beast Wars: Transformers was your show. It turned the traditional robot formula on its head, substituting wheels with claws and attitude with beast mode. And although the Predacons had a lot of bang, it was the Maximals that stole the scene—each with something unique to offer the battlefield. But come on: there were some walking tanks among the Maximals, and others. Well, let’s just say they required regular CR Chamber check-ups. Here’s a retro look at the 10 strongest Maximals from Beast Wars, in order from good to completely unstoppable.
10. Airazor
Airazor wasn’t always at the center of every battle, but where she was present, she flew—literally. As the team’s air scout, speed and agility placed her in command of the skies, although her lighter build implied she couldn’t absorb too much damage. She wasn’t in the limelight as much as the fans might have preferred, but her aerodynamic style and elegant fighting made her unforgettable.
9. Rattrap
Few people were more adept at surviving the chaos than Rattrap. Okay, maybe he wasn’t taking home any arm-wrestling trophies, but no one knew stealth, hacking, and sabotage better. He was the Maximal who never failed to find a way (usually through grumbling) to make it happen, and his tactical brain gave him an advantage that more often than not proved greater than raw power.
8. Cheetor
Cheetor began as the brash rookie, eager to rush into danger without thinking. But he wasn’t a kid forever. With his Transmetal enhancements, he became a skilled fighter—quick, nimble, and surprisingly ruthless. His development throughout the series, in terms of maturity and fighting skills, made him one of the best-developed Maximals by the series’ end.
7. Tigatron
Serene, calm, and lethal when angry, Tigatron was more attuned to nature than war—but don’t be fooled by his mellow energy. When he did enter the fray, he made an impact. Tigatron liked stealthy strikes over brawn, and his loner nature made him wild card-esque in the best possible sense.
6. Rhinox
If brains and brawn had a child, it’d be Rhinox. This giant tech whiz could repair a warp drive one day and take out an entire squad of Predacons the next. He didn’t require fancy upgrades to make his point—those double chainguns did the talking. And though he wasn’t always enthusiastic about being in charge, he was the team’s anchor: steady, competent, and subtly formidable.
5. Silverbolt
Half noble knight, half aerial missile launcher, Silverbolt was the team’s heart with the wings to prove it. He might have possessed an over-the-top honor code, but his commitment—and his firepower—made him a must-have. And any Maximal who can redeem a Predacon like Blackarachnia has some serious hero credentials.
4. Depth Charge
Depth Charge was a walking vendetta muffled in razor-sharp armor. With an arsenal designed for underwater fighting and a personal vendetta against Rampage, he wasn’t particularly team-oriented—but he was severely efficient. Few could match his firepower or resolve, and when things turned ugly, Depth Charge never blinked.
3. Dinobot
Dinobot was not just a warrior—he was a legend. Once a Predacon but with a strong sense of honor, Dinobot fought all the time with his own identity, and that made his allegiance to the Maximals all the more significant. His final stand against Megatron’s army was one of the greatest moments in the show, demonstrating that strength is not just about physical force—it’s about having courage, conviction, and making sacrifices.
2. Optimus Primal
Optimus Primal was not your standard battlefield bruiser, but he better than deserved his stripes as leader of the Maximals. Calculating, empathetic, and unbendingly ruthless, Primal experienced several upgrades that rendered him a literal monster. Optimus Primal had become effectively a one-bot army by the time he was Optimal Optimus, so powerful that he could match even the strongest Predacon transforms.
1. Tigerhawk
Enter the big gun: Tigerhawk. This merged form of Tigatron and Airazor, powered by Vok energy, came on the scene late in the game—but his effect was instantaneous. Capable of calling down weather storms and annihilating enemy forces in a matter of seconds, Tigerhawk was raw havoc in action. It took the complete firepower of the Nemesis to take him out, and even then, it seemed like the universe had to play dirty to take him down.
Whether you adored them because of their personalities, their abilities, or their toy counterparts, the Maximals were a hallmark of ’90s cartoon excellence. These weren’t just robots disguising themselves as humans—they were complex, transformative heroes that left an indelible impression on viewers. And let’s be honest—some of those action figures are still on your shelf for a reason.