Leader is a class featured in Transformers: War for Cybertron. As a leader, you bring a balance of mind and muscle to your team. Leaders carry an array of top-notch artillery and can buff themselves and their teammates with defensive abilities. In vehicle mode, they attack with unguided rockets and the reinforced bumper of their truck forms.

Characteristics

Life bar: 5

Chassis

Autobot

• Heavy Rig (Optimus)
• Medic Rig (Ratchet)
• Armored Rig (Ironhide)
• Elite Rig (Zeta Prime, DLC #2, available for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game, but not for the officially for the PC version. Mods are available.)

Decepticon

• Spy Rig (Soundwave)
• Tactical Rig (Onslaught, DLC #1, available for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game, but not for the PC version.)

Weapons

Leaders can equip two of these four weapons:

• Ion blaster
• Energon battle pistol
• Magma frag launcher
• Fusion cannon

They use energon axes in melee and carry thermo mines, but only after certain conditions are met (see upgrades).

Abilities

Leaders can eventually choose two from four different abilities:

• Warcry: Increase you and your allies' damage and armor for a while.
• Barrier: Deploys an Energon Shield Barrier (flat rectangular wall that eventually dissipates). (Level 1)
• Moleculon Bomb: Deploys a bomb that slows enemies and then explodes. (Level 2)
• Disruption: Forces victim to change form and locks them there for a while. (Level 5)

Vehicle mode:

• Ram: Hit enemies with your face.

Upgrades

Leaders can eventually choose up to three upgrades to augment their abilities: First Tier

• Roll Out: Increases Ram damage. (Level 1)
• Rally: Increases Warcry's radius. (Level 3)
• Duck and Cover: Causes residual damage to enemies near a Moleculon Bomb. (Level 7)
• No Surrender: Warcry's effect lasts longer. (Level 10)
• Corrode: Victims of Disruption take damage. (Level 17)
• Rage: Warcry buff increases. (Level 23)

Second Tier

• Flak Armor: Reduces explosion damage. (Level 2)
• Empowered Shields: Increases health of Energon Shield Barrier. (Level 5)
• Martyrdom: Drops Thermo Mines in inventory when killed. (Level 8)
• Chaos Master: Disruption lasts longer. (Level 13)
• Ion Booster: Teammates near Moleculon Bomb receive speed boosts. (Level 19)
• Reserve Power Cells: Gain ability to shoot for a while after being killed. (Level 24)

Third Tier

• Weapon Stabilizer: Reduces weapon kickback. (Level 6)
• Seeker: Increases Thermo Mine search radius. (Level 6)
• Blaster Amplifier: Grants two extra ammo clips. (Level 9)
• First Aid: Decreases health regeneration delay. (Level 15)
• Explosive Capacitor: Grants one extra grenade. (Level 21)
• Rapid Recharge: Reduces ability recharge time. (Level 25)

Killstreaks

After killing enough guys without dying, every class can use special abilities. The leaders' are:

• Intercooler (3 kills): Greatly reduces ability recharge time.
• P.O.K.E. 2.0 (5 kills): Makes your melee attack explosive (also, you get to hear Peter Cullen say "Punch of Kill Everything"!).
• Thermo Mine Re-Spawner (7 kills): Spawns a trail of Thermo Mines.