Yes, BUT, we then see in ROTF, Optimus basically kicking the shit out of Megs and 3 other decepticons for a good 5 minutes before being "finally" blindsided.
A few days later Prime os revived and esentially solos The Fallen (Meg's master), and in the process, rips half of Megatro's face off, and tears Starscream's wings off for good measure.
I know they just did it to get some characters killed off to make room for a new generation, but in the original TF movie.
Optimus got swiped with an energy sword, then stabbed by a rock, and shot, he died. During that fight, all he did was land punches and uppercuts on Megatron, who fell a few stories after Optimus' final hit. He was nearly dead.
When the Decepticons took over the Autobot ship, they killed Brawn(one of the strongest/most durable Autobots) with one shot. THey also took down Prowl and Ironhide without much effort.
G1 TF's weren't all that durable......Let me rephrase that.
G1 TF's are very durable, or not durable at all, depending on the episode, and what the writer needs.
Optimus would've won their first fight if he wasn't so busy trying to keep Megatron from killing Sam or hurting innocent people. He always has been better than Megatron, which is why he always has to cheat to get ahead.
Gender: Unspecified Location: Still in the mind with Galvatron, C
For once I'd like to know what so many people have against villains. May be some of us would like to destroy humanity but the others want to help it by killing goody-two-shoes like the heroes so that humanity can have more discipline in their lives. some of us do it for the thrill, like Carnage.
Yes, alot of PIS and CIS was used and broadens basically every inconsistency in the show to unbeleivable levels.
We have seen Optimus basically dissasembled by Hook, but still survives somehow. He've seen him on an operating table with no front armour, and he still tanks a direct hit from Laserbeak to exposed vital areas, and remain functional enough to keep talking after his insides exploded.
Megs survived a nearly point blank anti-matter explosion with nothing but some surface cracks. We see Megs survive a cargo ship full of energon exploding with him on board, with enough force to push Cybertron out of a solar system....
yeah, going by the episodes, I think G1 is plenty durable enough to withstand quite a bit. Temper this with the low end durability (as you pointed out) and they still shit on almost any other TF series by at least an order of magnitude.
Gender: Unspecified Location: Still in the mind with Galvatron, C
Something drives me to saying that I agree with you darkstorm, but I can't let my sentimental side break through. It'll leave a bad impression on the symbiotes and the boys. Not that Carnage requires it, he's already taken over the body of the human. All that's left is for him to battle the soul. But that's a bit off-topic.