Allegiance: Predacon
Alternate Mode(s): Fire ant
Signature Line: "Fool! Pain is my friend! Allow me to
introduce you to it!" - Coming of the Fuzors, Part 1
Best Transformation: Um, I'll get back to you on that one.
First Appearance: "Spider's Game"
Last Appearance: "Nemesis, Part 2"

I once heard a theory that Transformers characters were the embodiment of certain character traits. Red Alert is paranoia, Rattrap is pessimism, and the like. If this were the case, then Inferno would be loyalty. Well, either that, or suicidal pyromania.

Let's start with his introduction. Inferno's introduction was not exactly a smooth one. (Let's face it. How many of the introduced Beast Warriors' were?) He was reprogrammed by Tarantulus into a Predacon. While this in itself was not a new thing, (Tarantulus had previously reprogrammed Blackarachnia), it did not help that Inferno had a few glitches of his own. As Tarantulus explained it, Inferno's beast mode was overriding his logic circuits. This meant that he thought he was, indeed, an ant. How this malfunction happened is not known. Inferno's pod was the only one we saw that actually landed the way it should.

This, of course, leads us to the loyalty aspect of Inferno's character. Ants are tremendously territorial, and do anything to protect their colony, and their queen. Naturally, this is the position Inferno takes when he awakens, substituting his stasis pod for his colony. His first two acts are to attack Tarantulus and Blackarachnia, then attack Airazor, both to defend the 'colony'.

Unfortunately after "Spider's Game", we get very little in the way of characterisation for Inferno. He does not get a starring role in any episode, seemingly reduced to the part of supporting character. From what we do see, Inferno is one of, if not the, most loyal of Megatron's troops. Sure, this arises from the dominance of his beast mode, but I'm sure Megatron would like some loyalty any way he can get it. This loyalty is best shown in an exchange with Rampage in "Transmutate":

RAMPAGE: I was explaining what it means to be a Predacon. Deceit. Treachery. Mindless loyalty.
INFERNO: Loyalty comes first!

Inferno isn't loyal because he swore an oath, or because he feels he owes something to Megatron. He's loyal because that's who he IS. Because of a malfunction, yes. But that doesn't change the fact that he will always remain loyal to Megatron, and do his utmost to impress his "queen". ("Royalty, why was I not chosen?" - Cutting Edge) To do otherwise would be denying his own existence.

The other part of his character is, well, he's a badass. He's big, he's strong, he's got a couple of big guns and he ain't afraid to use them. Inferno's habit of flying around screaming "BURRRRN!" and opening up on any convenient target is what drew me to him in the first place. (I'm a guy. It's genetic, I can't help it.) Inferno could probably take on Megatron, and win. Although he would never consider taking such a heinous action against the royalty. If Inferno had a truly independent mind, he would be extremely dangerous. However, Megatron can easily control him, which is probably a good thing. Inferno showed himself to be quite a capable soldier. Other then the aforementioned beserker rages, he showed he could command other troops ("Nemesis"). Unfortunately, Inferno only knows one tactic. All out frontal assault, throwing everything you've got at the enemy. Inferno's strength and firepower often means that this tactic is successful, but a craftier opponent can often outwit him. If Inferno could be more creative, the Maximals would be in deep trouble.

A couple of other points:

• His voice. I think Jim Byrnes (heh) does a fantastic job with Inferno, both with his crazed outbursts, and in the quieter moments.
• His beast mode. His beast mode was very cool, but hardly ever seen. (Why walk, when you can fly?) In fact, after Season 1, I only remember seeing it once, briefly, in "Cutting Edge". Although I could be wrong.

Summary: Inferno is one of Megatron's most loyal and capable troops. Only his limited mindset prevents him from being one of the most dangerous Beast Warriors.