MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Franchises

2018-11-03T18:15:06Z

BumbleBeeCee: /* Hasbro franchises */

[[File:Armadalogo.jpg|right|250px|]]
[[File:BWlogo.jpg|right|250px|]]
[[File:TF2007 Logo.jpg|right|250px|]]
[[File:Headmasters jplogo.jpg|right|250px|Headmasters jplogo.jpg]]
A '''franchise''', for lack of a better term, is an incarnation or "generation" of the [[Transformers brand]]. The word is used here to refer to the collection of not just [[toy]]s, but also media, merchandise, and ideas that surround each of these incarnations. Because of these other elements, the word "toyline" would not be broad enough; the toyline is just the toy component of the whole thing.

==Hasbro franchises==
There have been many franchises over the three decades that ''Transformers'' has been around. A list follows.

{{note|"Flagship" lines—generally those containing the bulk of new-mold toys and supported by an animated cartoon and other marketing—are listed in '''bold'''. Many of the minor "franchises" are little more than toylines, either with little or no fiction, or else new iterations of previous franchises, primarily ''Generation 1''.}}

[[File:G1logo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 1984–1991, 2001– : For the first eight years, there was no "franchise" as such; the brand of "'''[[The Transformers (franchise)|The Transformers]]'''" alone was used on the toyline and associated media (such as the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Sunbow cartoon]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comics]]). When that toyline was resurrected in the early 2000s, it was retroactively dubbed '''''Generation 1'''''. New ''Generation 1'' media and toys continue to be produced to this day.

*1990–1991: ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' was the name of a ''Generation 1'' subline in Europe and Australia, reissuing many toys originating from 1984 through 1987.{{-}}

[[File:G2Logo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 1993–1995: '''''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''''' was a relaunch of the toy line, a mix of old and new toy designs. A new comic continued the story of the Marvel ''Generation 1'' comics, while the ''Generation 1'' cartoon was re-edited and rebroadcast. {{-}}

[[File:BWlogo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 1996–2001: '''''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars: Transformers]]''''' changed the direction of the line with robots that changed into "realistically"-styled animals and soon moved into other varieties of animal-[[Alternate mode|alt-mode]] robots. It was supported by a CGI cartoon.{{-}}

[[File:MW logo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|MW logo.jpg|300px]]
* 1997: ''[[Machine Wars: Transformers]]'' was a limited line of redecorated older toys, released to capitalize on the popularity of ''Beast Wars''. Fiction was limited to on-package [[bio]]s.

* 1999: ''[[Animorphs]]'' was a short-lived franchise using the ''Transformers'' name but unrelated with regard to fictional backstory. As this line was in support of a non-Transformers fictional universe, no specific fiction was tied to the toy line. {{-}}

[[File:BeastMachines Logo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 2000–2001: '''''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Machines: Transformers]]''''' continued the directions of ''Beast Wars'' and added futuristic vehicles to the mix. The latter portion of this franchise was subtitled "The Battle for the Spark". Like ''Beast Wars'', it was supported by a CGI cartoon.{{-}}

[[File:123tflogo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 2001–2002: ''[[1-2-3 Transformers]]'' was a short-lived line of large, simple toys aimed at younger children. The line's niche was later filled by the ''Go-Bots'' line. No fiction exists for this franchise.

[[File:RIDlogo.png|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 2001–2003: '''''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]''''' was a port of the Japanese ''Car Robots'' toyline and cartoon, padded out with additional toys in the United States. {{-}}

* 2002: ''[[Transformers: Expanded Universe]]'' was a short-lived labeling of [[BotCon]] toys. It was used solely for [[BotCon 2002]] and only consisted of [[CatSCAN]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Glyph (Universe)|Glyph]], and [[Tap-Out (Universe)|Tap-Out]]. For simplicity, most people combine this line with the later ''Universe'' line.

[[File:Armadalogo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 2002–2003: '''''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Transformers: Armada]]''''' marked a new beginning for the toys and fiction, heralded by the addition of the [[Mini-Con]] faction. The latter portion of the franchise was subtitled "[[The Unicron Battles]]". It was marketed in Japan as ''Micron Legend''. The toyline was supported by a full cartoon series, comic book, pack-in mini-comics, on-line bios, and a great deal of ancillary merchandise. {{-}}

* 2002–2005: The ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series]]'' consisted of reissued toys from the first three years of ''Generation 1'', primarily available at Toys "R" Us. The toys had been previously reissued by Takara in Japan in the ''Transformers Collection'' line. As a reissue line, fiction was limited solely to on-package bios. Effectively ended in 2004, with two more delayed releases coming out in 2005.{{-}}

[[File:Universelogo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 2003–2008: ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Transformers: Universe]]'' supplemented the wildly successful ''Armada'' with [[redeco]]es of older toys and [[BotCon|convention]]-based fiction. Package blurbs provided a general fictional overview, and the line was briefly supported by a comic book. Largely ended in 2005, but still continued in one form or another until early 2008.

* 2003: ''[[Built to Rule]]'' consisted of Lego-compatible building blocks used to assemble various transformable ''Armada'' characters. It received no fiction independent of ''Armada''.{{-}}

[[File:Gobots logo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|Gobots logo.jpg|300px]]
* 2002–2005: ''[[Transformers: Go-Bots (franchise)|Transformers: Go-Bots]]'', which also went by the names ''Playskool Big Adventures: Transformers'' and just ''Go-Bots'', introduced a line of larger, simple toys aimed at children too young for the mainline toys. Fiction included on-package bios and a short-lived cartoon.{{-}}

[[File:Energonlogo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 2003–2005: '''''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Transformers: Energon]]''''' followed up on ''Armada''. The latter portion of the franchise was subtitled "[[The Powerlinx Battles]]". It was marketed in Japan as ''Super Link''. Fiction included a full cartoon series, a comic book, pack-in mini-comics, and on-line bios.{{-}}

[[File:AlternatorsLogo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 2003–2006: ''[[Transformers: Alternators]]'', a toy-only franchise, combined licensed, 1/24th-scale replica vehicles with complex transformations and ''Generation 1'' characters. It was marketed in Japan as ''Binaltech'', where the toys were packaged with bios and short stories that fleshed out the line's place in continuity. Sadly, the American franchise received no fiction beyond on-package character quotes for the later toys, a brief summary of the original setting of the Japanese ''Binaltech'' story revealed through a promotional Mazda website, and a single toy bio that was never officially released.{{-}}

[[File:Cybertron-Logo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 2005–2006: '''''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: Cybertron]]''''' completed the arc begun by ''Armada'', capping off the "[[Unicron Trilogy]]". The latter portion of the franchise was subtitled "Primus Unleashed". It was marketed in Japan as ''Galaxy Force''. Fiction included a cartoon, on-package blurbs and pack-in "Planet Maps" with character bios and profiles of various worlds.

* 2006–2008: ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars Transformers]]'' combined the transforming play pattern with the characters and vehicles of the popular movie franchise. Fiction was limited to on-package bios, as this line was in support of a non-''Transformers'' fictional universe.

* 2006: The ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]'' limited line featured six reissues of older ''Beast Wars'' toys with special packaging, new decos and bonus features, and two all-new molds. Fiction included on-package bios and pack-in DVDs of ''Beast Wars'' cartoon episodes.{{-}}

[[File:Classicslogo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 2006–2007: ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' was a line of rehashed ''Generation 1'' characters intended to be a stopgap while the 2007 movie toys were being prepared. Its success prompted Hasbro to continue it as the "Classic Series" under the 2008 ''Universe'' line. Fiction was limited to a fan club comic.

* 2006–2009: The ''[[Titanium Series]]'' was aimed specifically at fans, with a range of characters from older franchises and more obscure corners of the fiction, and die-cast metal designs. As the characters are all based on previous franchises, fiction consisted solely of on-package bios. Effectively ended in 2007, with a few delayed releases coming out as [[exclusive]]s as late as 2009. Later releases were [[co-branding|co-branded]] as part of the ''Movie'' line, ''Universe'' or ''Revenge of the Fallen''.{{-}}

[[File:TF2007 Logo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 2007–2008: The "'''[[Movie (franchise)|Movie]]'''" franchise marked a new level for Transformers, with [[Transformers (film)|''Transformers'']] as its centerpiece. The later portion of the toyline, primarily consisting of redecos, was subtitled "[[AllSpark Power]]", followed by a short-lived second expansion, the [[Premium Series]]. In addition to the movie itself, fiction included various comics, bios, package blurbs, and other ancillary merchandise.{{-}}

[[File:Transformersanimated franchise logo.png|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 2008– : '''''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]''''' is the first American-written cartoon franchise in just under a decade. It carries on the brand with a new look and some old familiar faces. Fiction includes the cartoon, a comic book series, and on-package bios.{{-}}

[[File:Universe2008Logo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 2008–2009: ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Transformers: Universe]]'' re-uses the catch-all name of several years prior, but is a new umbrella franchise covering products not falling under either ''Crossovers'' or ''Animated''. It is not slated to receive any fiction except for on-package bios.

* 2008– : ''[[Transformers: Crossovers]]'' rebrands the ''Star Wars Transformers'' line, as well as bringing in transforming Marvel characters, following Hasbro's acquisition of the Marvel license.{{-}}

[[File:Revenge fallen logo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 2009–2010: '''''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]''''' continues in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] direction begun by [[Transformers (film)|''Transformers'']]. The later portion of the toyline, was subtitled "[[N.E.S.T. Global Alliance]]". {{-}}

[[File:Transformerswarforcybertron.jpg|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 2010: '''''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''''' is the first franchise in the [[Aligned continuity family]]. {{-}}

* 2010– : ''[[Transformers: Generations]]'' continues on from 2008's Universe to be the catch-all franchise covering products not falling under the concurrent ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers (2010)]]'' toyline. It is not slated to receive any fiction except for on-package bios although it includes characters from the game ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]''.{{-}}

* 2010–2011: the non-subtitled ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers]]'' toyline builds on the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' toyline but also includes other toys and characters, acting as a general celebration of the Transformers lineage. Sub-sections of this franchise include the [[Hunt for the Decepticons]] promotion and the [[Reveal the Shield]] subline. Reveal the Shield covers the same territory as the concurrent ''Generations'' line, recreating classic characters with new modern designs.

[[File:Transformersprimelogo.png|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 2010– : '''''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Transformers: Prime]]''''' is intended to serve as a basis for the core Transformers line for some time to come. The line began with video games, comics, and a CGI TV show. The toyline began in late 2011 with the subline "First Edition", followed by "Robots in Disguise" in early 2012. {{-}}

[[File:TransformersDOTMLogo-trans.png|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 2011: '''''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Transformers: Dark of the Moon]]''''' is built around the third live-action feature film. {{-}}

[[File:TransformersAgeOfExtinctionLogoDarkOnLight.png|right|upright=1.1|500px|300px]]
* 2014: '''''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (franchise)|Transformers: Age of Extinction]]''''' is built around the fourth live-action feature film. {{-}}

[[File:TransformersTheLastKnightLogo.jpg|right|upright=1.1|300px]]
* 2017: '''''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (franchise)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]''''' is built around the fifth live-action feature film. {{-}}

==Takara franchises==
===Generation 1===
Beginning in 1986, (the second year of the franchise in Japan), [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] got into the habit of annually [[rebranding]] the ''Transformers'' property. Moreover, 1987's ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (franchise)|Transformers: The Headmasters]]'' kicked off a trend in which Takara's toylines and fiction branched off from [[Hasbro]]'s versions to increasingly significant degrees. Thus, the later iterations of Japanese Generation 1 are often referred to as "franchises", despite being part of the larger Generation 1 franchise. They include:

*1985: ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]''
*1986: ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010 (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]''
*1987: ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (franchise)|Transformers: The Headmasters]]''
*1988: ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|Transformers: Super-God Masterforce]]''
*1989: ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (franchise)|Victory]]''
*1990: ''[[Transformers: Zone (franchise)|Transformers: Zone]]''
*1991: ''[[Transformers: Return of Convoy (franchise)|Transformers: Return of Convoy]]''
*1992: ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination]]''

===Beast Wars===
To fill the sometimes-lengthy gap between the seasons of the ''Beast Wars'' television show, Takara decided to augment that series with two Japanese-exclusive franchises.

*1998: ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers]]'', with a toyline mostly consisting of redecorated existing ''Beast Wars'' toys.

*1999: ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (franchise)|Beast Wars Neo: Super Lifeform Transformers]]'', numerous new molds with additional redecos.

===Post-Beast Wars===
* 2000: ''[[Transformers: Car Robots]]'' was a mixed line of complex new molds and redecorated toys from previous lines. An expanded version was later marketed in America as ''Robots in Disguise''.

*2002–2004: ''[[The Transformers: Micromaster|Micromaster]]'' re-released the various Japanese-exclusive Micromaster combining teams from late in the Generation 1 era.

*2002-2006: ''[[The Transformers Collection]]'' consisted of book-boxed reissues of toys from the early years of Generation 1. Many of the same toys would subsequently be reissued in the United States in the ''Commemorative Series'' line.

*2003: ''[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]'' (often mislabeled "World's Smallest Transformers") reworked early Generation 1 toys at extremely small scale.

*2003–2008: ''[[Binaltech]]'', Japan's version of ''Alternators''. Originally ended in 2006, later reanimated.

*2003– : ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece]]'' is a collector-oriented series of "ultimate" versions of classic Generation 1 characters, with great complexity and high prices.

*2004–2005: ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' was a line of mixed heritage, collecting characters from several continuities. Most of its toys were redecos or new designs based on larger toys reduced in scale.

*2006–2007: ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)|Transformers: Kiss Players]]'' picked up the tail end of the ''Binaltech''/''Alternators'' toyline, but with an all-new, all-creepy storyline.

*2007: The ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Telemocha Series]]'' was Japan's expanded equivalent of the ''Beast Wars 10th Anniversary'' line.

*2007– : ''[[Transformers Encore]]'' revives the trend of reissuing older Generation 1 toys, including many not previously available in Japan.

*2007– : ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (franchise)|Henkei! Henkei! Transformers]]'' uses the molds created for the 2007 ''Classics'' and 2008 ''Universe'' lines and gives them color schemes more accurate to the original Generation 1 cartoon. Fiction exists in the form of a pack-in comic.

*2013– : ''[[Triple Combination: Transformers Go! (franchise)|Triple Combination: Transformers Go!]]'' is a Japanese sequel to ''Transformers: Prime''.

===Other franchises===
*2003: ''[[Kids' Transformers: Rescue Hero Go-Bots (franchise)|Kids' Transformers: Rescue Hero Go-Bots]]'' is Takara's answer to Hasbro's ''1-2-3 Transformers'' and ''Transformers: Go-Bots'' lines, using molds from both to create a separate line.

==Merchandising franchises==
Several lines of non-transforming figures have been released, capitalizing on the popularity of the ''Transformers'' characters.

* 2000–?: [[Super Collection Figure]], a Japanese line of PVC figures based on character models from the Generation 1 cartoon. It was later marketed in America as ''Heroes of Cybertron'', with some minor alterations.
* 2002–2003: [[MyClone]], a Transformers iteration of a super-deformed figure line in Japan.
* 2007: ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'', adorably cute figurines of various characters. It started out under the ''Movie'' banner (despite originally containing toys based on Generation 1 characters), then continued under ''Universe'' (2008) and ''Revenge of the Fallen''.

{{stub}}

[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Franchises|*]]

Prime (disambiguation)

2018-11-02T16:49:25Z

BumbleBeeCee:

The name '''Prime''' can refer to a Matrix-load of different things:

==Franchises==
{{disamb|y=2010|''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'', a television series and [[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|franchise]] with accompanying [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toyline]].}}

==Transformer component==
{{disamb|y=[[1985]]|[[Roller (G1)|Prime]], a little-used name for [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime's]] cart-sized [[drone]] usually known as '''Roller'''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2004]]|[[Prime Force]], a team of drones used by ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]].}}
{{disamb|y=2004|[[Prime Spark (Spark)|Prime Spark]], a special [[Spark]] shared by the [[Optimus (disambiguation)|Optimus]]es who met together in the story "[[Prime Spark (story)|Prime Spark]]".}}

==Rank==
The rank [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], held by many characters, generally bearers of the [[Matrix of Leadership]].

;'''Matrix bearers'''

*[[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]], a name that has been applied to many different characters who have a tendency to carry the [[Matrix of Leadership]].
*[[Sentinel Prime (disambiguation)|Sentinel Prime]], a name that has been applied to many different characters who have a tendency to die and precede Optimus Prime as Autobot leader.
{{disamb|y=[[1986]]|[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], the form taken by Hot Rod when he gets the Matrix in most of the Generation 1 continuities.}}
{{disamb|y=[[1990]]|[[Prime Nova]], a past Matrix bearer first mentioned in the Generation 1 [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comics.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2000]]|[[Omega Prime]], the combined form of [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)]] [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]], who has the Matrix, and ''Robots in Disguise'' [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], who wants the Matrix.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2003]]|Alpha Prime, another name for [[Primon]], the first Matrix-bearer in some continuities.}}
{{disamb|y=2003|[[Guardian Prime]], one more past Matrix-bearer, also foisted upon us by the Dreamwave Generation 1 comics.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2005]]|[[Vector Prime]], guardian of time and space, one of the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], and incidentally, apparently another Matrix-bearer.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2007]]|[[Nova Prime]], who abandoned the Matrix for the [[Darkness (G1)|Darkness]] in the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity]].}}
{{disamb|y=[[2008]]|[[Zeta Prime]], the ill-fated interim Prime who went too far after the Decepticons' rise in the IDW continuity.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2009]]|The [[Dynasty of Primes]], the group of ancient Cybertronians who hid their Matrix and restored it in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=2009|[[Bendy-Bus Prime]], apparently somehow part of the Dynasty.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2011]]|[[Nominus Prime]], the elitist [[Senate]] puppet who sowed the seeds for the Decepticon revolution in the IDW continuity.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2015]]|[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Shotimus Prime]], the form taken by Hot Shot when he gets the Matrix in certain continuities.}}

;'''Schmucks too good for disco'''

*[[Nemesis Prime (disambiguation)|Nemesis Prime]], a name that has been applied to several different characters, one of which carries the [[Dead Matrix]].
{{disamb|y=2000|[[Primal Prime]], the [[Vok]]-created Living Matrix and leader of the [[Wrecker]]s.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2002]]|Prime is the Japanese name for ''Armada'' [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]], who hung on to the Matrix after ''Armada'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] died.}}
{{disamb|y=2007|Leo Prime, another name for [[Lio Convoy]], a high-ranking Maximal with an [[Energon Matrix]], which is not the Matrix.}}
{{disamb|y=2007|[[Modus Prime]], the first of the [[Mini-Con]]s and their leader in the ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' portion of the Generation 1 series.}}
{{disamb|y=2008|Longarm Prime, the Autobot intelligence officer disguise of [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] from ''Animated''.}}
{{disamb|y=2009|[[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus Prime]], the Autobot Elite Guard member and leader of [[Team Athenia]] from ''Animated''.}}
{{disamb|y=2009|[[Nexus Prime]], one of the 13 and the guardian of [[Rarified Energon]].}}
{{disamb|y=[[2010]]|[[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], leader of Cybertron before [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] from ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]''.}}
{{disamb|y=2010|Megatronus Prime, former name of [[The Fallen]] given in the ''[[Transformers Vault]]'' (in other media, it's just "Megatronus" sans "Prime").}}
{{disamb|y=2010|[[Big Bang Prime]], an Autobot bound to [[Beta Supreme]] from ''Animated''.}}
{{disamb|y=2010|[[Override Prime]], an Autobot bound to [[Kappa Supreme]] from ''Animated''.}}
{{disamb|y=2010|[[Fire Prime]], an Autobot commander killed by [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]] from ''Animated''.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2012]]|Any of the many Neighborhood Commanders with the rank of Prime from the [[Cybertron Satellite]] promotion.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2017]]|[[Magnus Prime]], a [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|City Commander]] binary-bonded to [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]] who looks just like Optimus.}}
{{disamb|y=2017|[[Septimus Prime]], philosopher-king ruler of [[Protihex]] from the IDW continuity.}}

==Locations==
{{disamb|y=[[2006]]|[[Gorlam Prime]], the old name of a planet in the same sector of space as the [[Benzuli Expanse]].}}
{{disamb|y=2010|[[Giedi Prime]], a planet in ''Animated''.}}

==Fictional stories==
Several stories contained the word "Prime".

{{disamb|y=[[2004]]|"[[Prime Spark (story)|Prime Spark]]", a prose story in which ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]], who happens to be a Matrix-bearer, meets some other Transformers named [[Optimus (disambiguation)|Optimus]], including Generation 1 Optimus Prime, who also happens to be a Matrix-bearer.}}

;'''Television'''

{{disamb|y=[[1985]]|"[[A Prime Problem]]", in which nobody thought to check which [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] had the Matrix.}}
{{disamb|y=1985|"[[Prime Target (episode)|Prime Target]]", in which a hunter was targeting Optimus Prime, who has the Matrix.}}
{{disamb|y=[[1987]]|"[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1|The Return of Optimus Prime]]", in [[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2|part 2]] of which Optimus Prime fights Rodimus Prime for the Matrix.}}
{{disamb|y=2010|''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'', a television series and [[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|franchise]] with accompanying [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toyline]].}}

;'''Comics'''

{{disamb|y=1985|"[[Prime Time!]]", an issue of the Marvel Comics Generation 1 [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic book]] in which Optimus Prime gets back the Matrix.}}
{{disamb|y=2002|[[Prime Directive|''Transformers: Generation 1'' vol. 1: Prime Directive]], a six-part [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Generation One]] miniseries which has a bunch of Autobots reactivated by the Matrix.}}
{{disamb|y=2005|"[[Vector Prime: In the Beginning]]", an issue of the [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club comic]] which includes a flashback with Optimus Prime opening the Matrix.}}
{{disamb|y=2010|"[[Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)|Transformers: Prime]]", the comic prequel to the television series.}}
{{disamb|y=[[2011]]|''[[Transformers: Prime (comic series)|Transformers: Prime]]'', a series of comic adaptations of ''Prime'' episodes.}}

;'''Books'''

{{disamb|y=2011|"[[Prime Target (book)|Prime Target]]"}}

;'''Games'''
{{disamb|y=2011|[[Transformers Prime: Terrorcon Defense]], a ''Transformers: Prime'' online game.}}
{{disamb|y=2012|[[Transformers: Prime - The Game]]}}

==What it is not==
Prime should not be confused with:

*[[Prima]], the first Transformer and Matrix-bearer.
*[[Primon]], another early Transformer and Matrix-bearer of unclear relation to Prima.
*[[Primus]], the Transformer god, who ''made'' the Matrix.
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]], the [[Trukk not munky|munky]] from ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'', who had an Energon Matrix in Japan.
*[[Primacron (G1)|Primacron]], the mighty ape-like creator of [[Unicron]], who just doesn't get it.
*The [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], who as a whole are sometimes simply called '''the Primes'''.

{{disambig}}

Erector (G1)

2018-10-22T23:29:19Z

BumbleBeeCee: Removing dead link

{{factions|autobot|decepticon}}
{{disambig2|the Autobot from Generation 1|the Autobot from Animated|Erector (Animated)}}
:''Erector (giggle) is an [[Autobot]] [[Micromaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:G1Erector MTMTE.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|Maybe I should form a support group with [[Heave]] and [[Discharge (OC)|Discharge]].]]
'''Erector''' is horrified by the destruction of war, and goes out of his way to construct battle plans that minimize loss of life and collateral damage. Indeed, he will sometimes put himself at risk to save beautiful buildings or scenery. As a result, his fellow Autobots respect his reticence, not least because of his immense durability and strength. They also admire the cunning plans he uses to trap Decepticons without gunfire (many of them involving his trailer's hydraulic crane, which can throw 'Cons into the next county). As a construction engineer, he specializes in fortifications.<ref>''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' #2</ref>

{{bigquote|Everyone loses if there's nothing to win.|The only thing Erector ever said for 27 years|from his [[bio]] quote.}}

==Fiction==
===''Transformers Comic-Magazin''===
When the Decepticons attempted to take control of a submarine transporting plutonium rods, Erector and his mini-base were one of the Autobots assets transported to the scene using a cargo ship. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 13|The Energon Trap}}

===''Zone'' story pages===
When the ocean-covered world of [[Wall]] was attacked by [[King Poseidon|Aquatic General King Poseidon]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Saurian General Trypticon]], [[Star Saber (Victory)|Victory Saber]] charged into battle, but was quickly overwhelmed. Luckily, the four commanders, [[Overload (G1)|Overload]], Erector (chuckle), [[Missile Bull]], and [[Skywave]] arrived to save him. Commanding the [[Off Road Patrol|Off Road]], [[Jet Patrol Team|Jet]], and [[Race Car Patrol]] Teams, they arrived in time to save the drowning citizens of Wall, rescue Victory Saber, and beat back the [[Decepticon]]s. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 3}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
Erector and [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] were walking along when they came across Grimlock, Jazz, and Shockwave, discussing the upcoming nomination for the [[2011]] [[Transformers Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]]. The trio mistook Erector for Bumblebee, and so spared him any ridicule, but verbally tore into Waspinator. After insisting that the Predacon would never stand a chance against them, Grimlock and the others walked off, taking "Bumblebee" with them. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===''Hall of Fame'' bio===
Once a member of the [[Constructicon (disambiguation)|Constructicon]]s, Erector was rejected in favor of [[Hook (disambiguation)|Hook]] because he wasn't green. After helping win the battle of [[Tyger Pax]] through the power of being a superlative bullet magnet, Erector became known as the top Autobot engineer, designing the [[Armada Laserbeak Surveillance System]] and the [[Real Gear Quick Action Weaponry]]. {{storylink|Transformers Hall of Fame}}

{{note|Many of the early Hall of Fame entries were skewed towards the new [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned continuity]]. Erector's bio seemed to lean this way as well, but as there is no such established character as Aligned Erector yet in any fiction, the entry has been placed here. Where it finally belongs is open to debate.}}

===''Wings Universe''===
[[File:ErectorHaulerVsConstrcuticonsPanel.jpg|right|thumb|"Ya Yellow Bellied Runt!".]]
Erector and [[Hauler]] were part of an Autobot taskforce who ambushed the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s at [[Elevation Recostalus]] and succeeded in neutralizing the Decepticon team. {{storylink|Transformers I.Q.#issue 45|Transformers I.Q. last issue review}}
{{-}}

===''Regeneration One''===
[[File:Clar macro jungle war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
After twenty-one years of peace, the resurrected Decepticon [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]] returned to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and infected most of the Autobots with a [[Gene Key]] that turned them into Decepticons. Having undergone this process, Erector assisted Scorponok and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] in creating a planet-scale version of the Gene Key in the [[Sonic Canyons]]. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Four}} Having recovered, Erector joined the [[Construction Patrol]] and [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] in building the [[Nebulos|Nebulan]] end of the [[space bridge]] network in the [[Clar Macro-jungle]]. This probably didn't end well, thanks to the [[Dark Matrix (G1)|Dark Matrix]] creature tainting [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] and taking control of the space bridge network. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}}
{{-}}

===''TransTech''===
[[Cragun's List]] was presumably founded by a version of Erector. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/10/01}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Having survived the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Erector returned to the front lines in the 24th century to combat the [[Resistance]] when the [[Grand Uprising]] began. His new position in the [[Builder of Cybertron|Builder]] military saw him leading the [[74th Division]] from [[Tesarus (polity)|Tesarus]]. Erector's forces clashed repeatedly with [[Steel Jaw]]'s [[Pack]], and soon the two leaders developed a grudging but healthy respect for the other's tactical acumen.

As the war drew to a close, Erector — already dissatisfied with their shrinking territory and the useless [[Cyberdroid]] recruits the [[Builder Assembly]] kept foisting on him — tried to buoy morale amongst his increasingly demoralized soldiers as they prepared fortifications for the next battle. They were caught unaware by the Pack, who, on [[Lio Convoy]]'s orders, had gone in for a suicidal frontal assault against the 74th to capture and open the road to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. The [[Dark Skies Patrol]] managed to seize the Resistance's artillery batteries, and Erector ordered a retaliatory bombardment. Ultimately, the 74th Division fell that day; Erector himself was slain by the stealthy [[Maximal]] [[Snarl (BW)|Diablo]] as the tattered but triumphant Pack overran their foes and seized the city. {{storylink|Derailment}}
{{--}}

==Commercials==
[[File:Erector-commercial.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|He knows his place.]]
Erector was included in an army of Micromaster Autobots who swarmed and overwhelmed a [[Zarak Maximus|Giant Decepticon Soldier]]. He was also part of a vast Micromaster city/society that could fit in the palm of [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s hand. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Micromaster transports|Micromaster transports commercial}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:G1-toy Erector.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|If you experience an Erector lasting more than three hours, contact your doctor immediately.]]
*'''Erector''' (Micromaster Transport, [[1989]])
**''Accessories'': Crane trailer
:Erector transforms into a yellow and gray semi cab pulling a relatively huge [[Crane|crane trailer]]. Being asymmetrical, the cab does not resemble traditional semi cabs, instead looking like the front end of a (one-piece) mobile crane, such as [http://www.kato-works.co.jp/eng/products/allterr/r01.html this Kato model].

:Despite their small size, Erector and his trailer have lots of sculpted detailing; e.g., he has windshield wipers 1/8th" (3.2mm) long. For [[paint operation]]s, by contrast, he's limited to orange paint on his face, windshield, and side window (the trailer has none whatsoever). His fifth wheel hitch nominally allows the cab to turn as it tows the trailer (out of the box, it's too tight a fit for this). The crane itself can be removed from the trailer, and connected directly to Erector's hitch.

:Erector's transformation, as for most Micromasters, is trivial: flip his conjoined legs around, fold up his head, and you're done. His only articulation is at his (oddly-placed) hips, and shoulders. His crane trailer transforms into a battle station, with a main gun, and a smaller double-barreled gun that Erector can man (though he can't grasp the handles). He can man it either standing (there's a peg for his feet), or sitting (there's a circular indentation that fits the hitch on his calves).

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1989/Autobot/Erector/erector.htm More information on Erector at TFU.info]''

===Zone===
*'''Cragun''' (Micro TF DX, [[1990]])
**''Accessories'': Crane trailer
:Erector was sold without changes a year later in Japan as "Cragun".
{{--}}

==Notes==
*According to [[Hasbro]] designer [[Joe Kyde]]'s [http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20090101122334/http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/default.cfm?page=News/Item&newsid=4EC7EA7D-D56F-E112-46AC70D02754072E design notes on Hasbro's Transformers website], the original [[Mudflap (Movie)|Movie Mudflap]] (not [[Mudflap (ROTF)|the twin]]) was initially going to use the unreleased [[Landslide (Decepticon)|Landslide]] deco, with the name "Sawtooth". It was decided that Landslide's deco wasn't realistic enough for the Movie toyline, so a new deco based on Erector was chosen. The names Sawtooth and Erector were unavailable, so he got stuck being Mudflap. We . Were. Robbed.
*His Japanese name, "Cragun", apparently comes from his trailer, which is a "crane-gun".
*Erector's nigh-nonexistent fictional appearances are augmented by his presence on the cover of [[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye#Issue .232|''More than Meets the Eye'' #2]]. He's in the upper-right corner, and appears to be about the size of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s head.
*In a ''[[Lil Formers]]'' strip included in "[[Spotlight: Wheelie]]", [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] reveals that Erector is 7660th in the line of succession to be [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], just after [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], but before [[Chip Chase]]. So, one huge bot-killing spree would give us an Erectimus Prime.
*As the word "Erector" in the domain of toys is ''thoroughly'' [[trademark]]ed by {{w|Meccano Ltd}} for [[Erector set]] construction toys—they even own it [http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=77878820 specifically for toy robots!]—the only chance of seeing it on a ''Transformers'' toy again would be if Meccano Ltd were to suddenly go out of business.
*As a [[Transformers Hall of Fame]] nominee, Erector's name was rendered as "Autobot Erector". This was something of an empty gesture, as putting "Autobot" in front of his name wouldn't actually allow Hasbro to use that trademark in the field of toys. (Granted, a write-up on a webpage isn't actually something that you can trademark...)
*Erector's Hall of Fame candidacy came about from a push by various Transformers message boards, starting with TFW2005. Though some board admins reported that many of Erector's Hall of Fame votes came from new users who signed up just to vote for him, the campaign nonetheless attracted a lot of followers. These dedicated fans even had badges produced and handed out for free at BotCon, business cards, vinyl banners, and an online store for Erector apparel, which donated all of its profits to charity. There were mixed feelings about Erector's candidacy, and when Erector fans carried a series of banners into the Hall of Fame auditorium, there was a lot of booing in response.
*His bio quote, above, is no longer technically the ''only'' thing he's ever said. His Hall of Fame nominee quote was, "Wait, what is this? Why am I here?"
*Due to Erector's near-total lack of fictional appearances, [[Hasbro]] had to take a different approach to Erector's Hall of Fame nomination video than has been used for other characters. The video is more analogous to the videos for human inductees, featuring a series of interviews, and describes a long history of instances of Erector almost, but not quite, turning up in later incarnations of the brand. Visuals include a ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' redeco of his toy in colors reminiscent of the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], a ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' version with a beaver [[alternate mode]],<ref>http://eric-j.deviantart.com/art/Erector-RobotMode-BW-449339288</ref> an ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' [[Erector (Animated)|Erector]] who would have formed the "pants" of an ''Animated'' [[Devastator (Animated)|Devastator]], a [[Movie (franchise)|movie]] Erector design, and an Erector-based ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' cover. There was also a ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]''-styled Erector designed by [[Jagex]]. All of this was, of course, completely fictional and invented for the video. Following the video, [[Aaron Archer]] noted that doing this was fun once, but asked the fandom to please not do a similar thing again.
*Since Erector was nominated for the Hall of Fame, this page has expanded to nearly triple its previous size, thus proving there's always ''something'' to say about ''anything''.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Cragun''' (クレーガン ''Kurēgan'')
*''French:'' '''Éregon'''
*''Italian:'' '''Tractor'''

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Autobots]]
[[Category:Constructicons]]
[[Category:Engineers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Micromasters]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Zone Autobots]]

Rarified Energon

2018-10-19T10:09:15Z

BumbleBeeCee: Fixed link

Whereas normal [[Energon]] provides the fuel that keeps [[Transformer]]s living, '''Rarified Energon''' is something more. It is the base material of all Transformer life; the Transformers' [[living metal|physical forms]] and the stuff of which [[spark]]s are made. Rarified Energon is also of limited supply throughout the [[multiverse]]. If it were to all be used up, Transformer life could no longer come into existence. Given this, its protection is extremely important to [[Primus]], and he has tasked [[Nexus Prime]] of the [[Thirteen|original Thirteen Transformers]] with its protection. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}} Rarified Energon is also the lifeblood of Primus' sister [[Gaea]]. {{storylink|The Future Buried...}}

The [[Autobot]]s would later move this resource frequently to keep it out of the hands of the [[Decepticon]]s. However, [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Gigatron]] would manage to track its location to [[Ironworks]]. {{storylink|Invasion Prologue}}

==Fiction==
===''Classics''===
{{stub}}

===''Power of the Primes'' marketing material===
{{stub}}

==Notes==
===Foreign names===
*''French'': '''Energon Rafiné'''<ref>This is presumably a typo as the French adjective for "refined" is actually spelled "'''raffiné'''".</ref> ("Refined Energon")
*''Portuguese'': '''Energon Refinado''' ("Refined Energon")
*''Spanish'': '''Energón Refinado''' ("Refined Energon")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Classics]]
[[Category:Energon]]
[[Category:Power of the Primes]]

Rarified Energon

2018-10-19T10:08:04Z

BumbleBeeCee:

Whereas normal [[Energon]] provides the fuel that keeps [[Transformer]]s living, '''Rarified Energon''' is something more. It is the base material of all Transformer life; the Transformers' [[living metal|physical forms]] and the stuff of which [[spark]]s are made. Rarified Energon is also of limited supply throughout the [[multiverse]]. If it were to all be used up, Transformer life could no longer come into existence. Given this, its protection is extremely important to [[Primus]], and he has tasked [[Nexus Prime]] of the [[Thirteen|original Thirteen Transformers]] with its protection. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}} Rarified Energon is also the lifeblood of Primus' sister [[Gaea]]. {{storylink|Another Light}}

The [[Autobot]]s would later move this resource frequently to keep it out of the hands of the [[Decepticon]]s. However, [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Gigatron]] would manage to track its location to [[Ironworks]]. {{storylink|Invasion Prologue}}

==Fiction==
===''Classics''===
{{stub}}

===''Power of the Primes'' marketing material===
{{stub}}

==Notes==
===Foreign names===
*''French'': '''Energon Rafiné'''<ref>This is presumably a typo as the French adjective for "refined" is actually spelled "'''raffiné'''".</ref> ("Refined Energon")
*''Portuguese'': '''Energon Refinado''' ("Refined Energon")
*''Spanish'': '''Energón Refinado''' ("Refined Energon")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Classics]]
[[Category:Energon]]
[[Category:Power of the Primes]]

Vector Sigma

2018-10-13T00:42:46Z

BumbleBeeCee: /* The Covenant of Primus */ Added caption

[[File:VectorSigmaG1.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|A Clockwork Orange]]

'''Vector Sigma''' is an ancient and incredibly powerful multiversal super computer which exists across many (conceivably all, though this is speculative) universes. Collectively these multiversal nodes were networked together as the "Vector Sigma Gestalt",<ref>"[[Crossing Over: Part 6]]"</ref> although that [[Shroud|is no longer the case]].

Vector Sigma is generally shaped like a faceted orb. It frequently acts out the will of [[Primus]], and among its other abilities is the infusing of inanimate [[Transformer]] bodies with [[Spark|new life]]. Activating it requires a [[Key to Vector Sigma|special circuit key]], and possession of the key brings great power.

Hundreds of years in the future, some Vector Sigma nodes would be protected behind a shell program called the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]].

{{quote|I am Vector Sigma. Before Cybertron was, I was.|Vector Sigma upon activation|"[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1]]"}}

==Known multiversal nodes==
The [[Caretaker]], an independent computer designed by Vector Sigma to aid the Autobot [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]] was able to uplink to the larger multiversal Vector Sigma Gestalt. It gave a 10 digit numerical designation to each reality where Vector Sigma had a node. (The caretaker also spoke of a "central hub" that [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon]] (the Classicsverse) was too far away from for Caretaker to function properly.)

=== Continuities with Vector Sigma "nodes" ===
*141.207.6.661 - [[Aurex 405.0 Epsilon]], a [[Unicron Trilogy]] cartoon universe<ref>Specifically, the Unicron Trilogy universe [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]], [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], and possibly also [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]] and [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]] are from. Whether this is the [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] comic Unicron Trilogy, the cartoon Unicron Trilogy, or a hybrid of the two is a [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|subject of debate]].</ref>
*585.354.3.116 - [[Primax 797.18 Epsilon]], the [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|3H Beast Era]] universe, potentially a tangent timeline to the original G1 cartoon universe<ref>The [[Caretaker]] notes that the Unicron Trilogy hub and this hub recently had "disruptions", which seems to indicate the [[Unicron Singularity]]'s effects on the Unicron Trilogy and ''Universe''. The Generation 1 cartoon universe is a universe very similar to this one, if they are not indeed the very same.</ref>
*216.333.8.616 - [[Nexus 208.0 Epsilon]], the ''[[Transformers: TransTech|TransTech]]'' universe
*[[Malgus 1207.26 Alpha]], the [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|''Animated'' cartoon]] universe
*[[Primax -408.24 Epsilon]], the ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (fiction)|Shattered Glass]]'' universe, where the node is known as the [[Omega Terminus]]
*[[Primax 208.06 Zeta]], the [[Waspinator (BW)#Waspscream continuity|Waspscream]] continuity
*[[Primax 209.0 Gamma]], the ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' universe
*[[Primax 302.06 Gamma]], [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s Generation 1 comic universe
*[[Primax 496.22 Alpha]], the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon universe containing the ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' cartoon.
*[[Primax 509.28 Epsilon]], the ''[[Transformers: Wings Universe|Wings Universe]]''
*[[OG World|Primax 785.06 Alpha]], the Japanese Generation 1 cartoon universe, and its related timelines [[Primax 400.05 Alpha]], [[Primax 406.3 Eta]], [[Primax 498.1 Alpha]], [[Primax 787.3 Alpha]], and [[Primax 1097.01 Alpha]]
*[[Primax 798.0 Gamma]], the [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (manga)|''Beast Wars'' manga]] universe
*[[Primax 984.17 Alpha]], the original [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] universe
*[[Primax 1005.19 Gamma]], [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s Generation 1 comic universe
*[[Primax 1212.13 Kappa]], the ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]'' mobile game universe
*[[Tyran 110.21 Alpha]], the ''[[Transformers: Cyber Missions|Cyber Missions]]'' online cartoon universe
*[[Uniend 610.23 Zeta]], the Aligned novels universe
*[[Uniend 911.05 Alpha]], the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' cartoon universe
*[[Viron 102.0 Beta]], the ''Robots in Disguise'' universe where [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] assumed an "Air Attack" form
*[[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], the "[[Shell Game]]" universe
*[[Viron 901.8 Alpha]], the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon]] universe
*[[Xobitor 1085.06 Alpha]], the [[Compu-Core]] within the ''[[Robotix]]'' world of Skalorr.<ref>Gee, wonder where [[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|this]] originates.</ref>

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Corey Burton]] (English), [[Toshio Ishii]] (Japanese)}}

[[File:Ktvs prime and trion.jpg|left|thumb]]

Described as the "mega-computer" which gave all Transformers life, Vector Sigma resides in a spherical chamber deep within the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Its origins are unknown, save for the cryptic sentence it speaks upon being activated, whereupon it pronounces that before Cybertron existed, it did.

In 1985, seeking to combat the [[Autobot]]s' rule of the roads, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] created the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] and brought them to Cybertron with the intent of having Vector Sigma program them with true cybernetic personalities. Requiring Vector Sigma's [[Key to Vector Sigma|activation key]] to bring the computer online, he stole it from [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] and successfully completed his plan. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}} In retaliation, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] constructed his own new team, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], but Megatron had already returned to Earth with the key still in his clutches, leaving the Autobots unable to reactivate Vector Sigma. As a first-generation product of Vector Sigma, Alpha Trion shared the mega-computer's computation matrix, and sacrificed himself by merging his lifeforce with it. This action reactivated the computer long enough for Optimus Prime to instruct it to program the Aerialbots with life.

Shortly thereafter, it was revealed that the key possessed another power—the bizarre ability to generate an energy beam that "de-energizes" organic matter, transforming it into lifeless metal. Megatron attempted to use this power to turn Earth into a new Cybertron, but his plans were thwarted and the key destroyed. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

After draining the energies of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to cure the [[Hate Plague]] in 2006, Optimus Prime began to suffer premonitions of some unseen future disaster. Believing that these visions were coming to pass with the Decepticons' theft of the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber|key]] to the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]] {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}, Prime used the empty shell of the Matrix to reactivate Vector Sigma, so that he could communicate with the spirit of Alpha Trion, still living within the computer, in hopes that the old sage could provide answers. Alpha Trion indicated that the recent conflict that had erupted around the Chamber had, in fact, been engineered by Vector Sigma as a means of bringing about a new Golden Age of Cybertron. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}} The plan ultimately succeeded when the chamber's energies were released, forcing Earth's sun to go supernova, only for the excess solar energy to be rerouted into Vector Sigma by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and the Autobots' [[Nebulan]] allies, thereby re-energizing the planet. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
{{note|The events of the Generation 1 cartoon occur in Japanese continuity as detailed above, save for the fact that the events of 2006 take place in 2010, and "The Rebirth" does not occur. The nature and origins of Vector Sigma were heavily revised in a major [[retcon]] in 2007, when events of the ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)|Kiss Players]]'' [[Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|radio drama]], along with a [[Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|timeline]] published in the ''[[Kiss Players/15 Go! Go!]]'', merged the computer with several other concepts from across ''Transformers'' fiction, including [[Oracle (G1)|Primacron's assistant]] (also known as the Oracle) and [[Primus]]. As a consequence, it is now a ''very'' different entity than in the English version of the same episodes—or any other continuity for that matter. Japanese continuity also incorporates the events of the ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' cartoon, which are not strictly part of English cartoon continuity, and as such, are listed under a separate header in this article.}}

[[File:Oracle COTP thumb.gif|thumb|All hail the shiny sparkly cotton candy mass.]]
Vector Sigma began life as "the [[Oracle (G1)|Oracle]]", an ape-like [[Primitive]] robot created by the ancient genius, [[Primacron]]. The Oracle possessed the power to bring robotic beings to life, and hence played an important role in Primacron's experiments. Those experiments, however, eventually resulted in the creation of [[Unicron]], who turned on his creator and destroyed the Oracle's body in the course of his attack. The Oracle's essence persevered, however, and, encased within a protective shell, fled to a dead planet at the center of the universe, which he proceeded to transform into a verdant, living world. However, he could sense that in the future, Primacron would go on to create another universal danger in the form of [[Tornedron]], and so summoned the Primitive Transformers of the future back through time to his planet, where he instructed them in how to destroy the threat. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

{{note|This time travel was inserted by the previously mentioned retcon and is not alluded to at all in the episode itself. It would seem to exist purely to prevent the Oracle's role in the episode from conflicting with everything else the retcon sets out to do.}}

=====''Kiss Players''=====
[[File:TGGPrimus2.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb]]

At some undefined point later in his life, the Oracle reached into the future again when he became aware of a plot by Unicron's servants, the [[Sparkbot]]s to resurrect their evil master following his destruction in the year 2005. The Sparkbots had duped the humans [[Marissa Faireborn]], [[Shaoshao Li]], and [[Atari Hitotonari]] into helping them gather Unicron's splintered [[Angolmois|lifeforce]] from throughout space and time, telling them that the fragments they were gathering were actually parts of the "[[Allspark (disambiguation)|Allspark]]". {{storylink|Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|Kiss Players radio drama #40}} After the girls had gathered up several fragments of Unicron's lifeforce, the Oracle decided to take an active hand, and began stealing away the fragments before the girls could claim them. {{storylink|Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|Kiss Players radio drama #45}} Unaware of the true nature of the situation, the girls gave chase through time aboard [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]], but they wound up crashing into the "[[Wall of Time]]" and were hurled into the parallel universe of the "[[Unicron Trilogy]]". {{storylink|Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|Kiss Players radio drama #47}} The Oracle personally rescued the girls from each of the different time periods they had wound up in {{storylink|Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|Kiss Players radio dramas #48-50}} and brought them back to their home universe to explain what was really going on, appearing in the form of a giant golden robot and introducing himself to them as "Primus". The team proceeded to pursue the Sparkbots back to prehistoric [[Earth]], where Primus prevented the resurrection of Unicron, sealed his lifeforce within the planet and created Brave Maximus to serve as a guardian. When the girls asked Primus what their future would be, he did not deign to reply, and returned them to their proper place in time before returning to his world and settling down to rest... by transforming into the familiar golden spherical form of Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|Kiss Players radio drama #50}}

As Primus slept, the [[Quintesson]]s discovered his planet and invaded it, subjugating Primus and obtaining the shell that had held his essence, which went on to become the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. Using Primus's shackled powers, the Quintessons transformed his planet into the metallic Cybertron, and began creating their own race of robotic slaves, which eventually became the Transformers. {{storylink|Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)}}
{{-}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
[[File:VectorSigmaHM.jpg|thumb|The exterior of the Vector Sigma chamber, as seen in ''The Headmasters''.]]
One year after Optimus Prime drained the energies of the Matrix to cure the [[Hate Plague]], in 2011, the loss of the Matrix's energy caused Vector Sigma to destabilize, threatening Cybertron with destruction. The Decepticons—their forces bolstered with the recent addition of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] warriors from the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]]—sought to take advantage of the chaos that ensued, seeking to gain control of the unstable computer, thereby bringing Cybertron under their dominion again. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}

[[File:VectorSigmaHM2.jpg|thumb|left|Vector Sigma itself in ''Headmasters'', sporting a slightly different look than in the original series.]]

Determined to save the planet at any cost, Optimus Prime fought his way through the tunnels leading to Vector Sigma's chamber, led by the [[ghost]] of Alpha Trion, while [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and a group of Autobot Headmasters began searching for the Matrix, which had been left on Earth to recharge itself using the planet's natural energy. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Although they were successful in their mission, and the Matrix was even recharged by Alpha Trion, they were not fast enough to re-stabilize Vector Sigma with it, forcing Optimus Prime to sacrifice his life (again) by merging with the computer and restoring it to normal. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}}

Not long thereafter, Vector Sigma began a series of experiments to create a new super-alloy. [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundblaster]] and his cassettes were able to penetrate Vector Sigma's chamber and learn of the experiments, which in turn prompted [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] to launch an all-out attack on Cybertron to secure the new alloy, [[Cybertonuron]], for himself. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} However, Galvatron's ally, Headmaster leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], was not enthused at the idea of Galvatron acquiring such a powerful weapon, and determined to keep the metal out both his hands and those of the Autobots through means most drastic—the total destruction of Cybertron itself. Powerful bombs were planted in Vector Sigma's chamber, and although the Autobots learned of the plot, they were unable to stop it, and Cybertron was reduced to a burnt-out husk. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

=====''Unite Warriors''=====
[[File:Lynxmaster reformat.jpg|thumb|]]
In the aftermath of Cybertron's destruction, the broken form of Vector Sigma was discovered by the Autobot [[Disaster Relief Team]] in the planet's wreckage. Still functioning, the supercomputer granted them new bodies and abilities to help rebuild the planet. Ten years later, Vector Sigma had found a new chamber and aided [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] in resurrecting Optimus Prime. They were interrupted by the arrival of the vengeful [[Roller (G1)|Roller]], which led to a battle between [[Sky Reign]] and [[Grand Galvatron]]. {{storylink|Sky Reign Chapter}} Vector Sigma succeeded in reviving Optimus Prime during the battle, but because of Prime's repeated deaths, the computer's best efforts were only able to grant him one week's worth of life. {{storylink|Megatronia Chapter}} As Unicron attacked Cybertron, Vector Sigma restored the Disaster Relief Team's combiner joints so that they could join the other combiners in fighting him off. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}}

At the trial of the [[Commando (RID)|Combatrons]], many years later in the post-[[Cybertron Alliance]] era, the Autobots recounted how Vector Sigma/Primus had created Brave Maximus. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part One}}

{{-}}

=====Wars manga=====
[[File:Train Wars Vector Sigma Oracle.jpg|thumb|left]]
On Cybertron, the central node of Vector Sigma was stolen by [[The Fallen]], who wished to absorb its power to create new life into himself. The orb rejected The Fallen's efforts, transforming into its little-seen robot mode as the Oracle. The Oracle lent its brilliant light to [[Overdrive]] and his [[Quantum Dial]], allowing the [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibot]] to summon new defenders from outside space and time to protect Vector Sigma. Overdrive vanished, but six new warriors appeared in the skies to battle The Fallen. {{storylink|Train Wars}}

These warriors were not enough to stop the new combined form of The Fallen, however. Apparently too drained for further resistance, the Vector Sigma orb was claimed by The Fallen, who began to assimilate its properties. [[Shouki]] used his partner [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] as an electrical bow to shoot Vector Sigma free of The Fallen, and [[Goshooter]] then kicked the spherical node right in The Fallen's stupid face. [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] merged with the power of Vector Sigma to empower Shouki into a "train bazooka" mode that Goshooter used to deliver the ultimate attack against The Fallen, defeating him. {{storylink|Train Wars 2}}

=====''Beast Wars Returns'' cartoon=====
:''See [[Vector Sigma#Beast Machines cartoon|Beast Machines cartoon]], below.''

=====''Beast Wars Neo'' cartoon=====
{{voiceactor|[[Chie Hirano]] (Japanese)}}
[[File:Neo-VectorSigma.jpg|thumb|Vector Sigma's Blue Period.]]

Tens of thousands years after the [[Great Reformatting]], Vector Sigma appeared to be in charge of the planet, handing down orders via the [[Convoy Council]]. It was under Vector Sigma's orders that [[Big Convoy]] was removed from solo warrior duty and placed in charge of a group of unruly Maximal new recruits. By means of Big Convoy's [[Energon Matrix]], Vector Sigma would occasionally possess Big Convoy for a brief instant in order to give words of wisdom and encouragement to the Maximal new recruits. {{storylink|Big Convoy, Move Out}} Big Convoy, initially very distant and anti-social, gradually became more compassionate as Vector Sigma's actions began to rub off on him.

After being resurrected by the [[Blentron]]s, [[Unicron]] traveled to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] with the intention of transforming it into his new body. He briefly achieved this goal by possessing Vector Sigma and overriding it. His scheme would have worked, however, he allowed himself to be lured out of Vector Sigma by Big Convoy, the Maximal recruits, [[Lio Convoy]], and [[Magmatron]]. Unicron underestimated their power and was destroyed. Now free, Vector Sigma oversaw the reconstruction of Cybertron by the united forces of the Maximals and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]].
{{-}}

=====''Car Robots'' cartoon=====
At some point, Vector Sigma created the [[O-Part]]s as part of a complex system for activating the ancient guardian [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]]. {{storylink|Peril from the Past|The Final Key? Farewell, Ai}}

Later, Vector Sigma created [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Fire Convoy]] and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|God Magnus]] {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!|Forced Fusion! God Fire Convoy}} and granted Fire Convoy his [[Energon Matrix]]. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Enter! God Magnus}}

After being defeated by [[Omega Prime|God Fire Convoy]], [[Megatron (RID)|Gigatron]], the [[Predacon (RID)|Destronger]]s, and the [[Commando (RID)|Combatron]]s were taken by [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]] to stand trial before Vector Sigma for their crimes. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|Final Battle! Fire Convoy}}

=====Ask Vector Prime=====
[[Prowl 2]] was born when Vector Sigma infused the rebuilt Beta BT unit of [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] with life. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/10}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
[[Scourge (RID)|Black Convoy]] managed to escape from prison and steal an Energon Matrix from Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} Vector Sigma created [[Neo Brave Maximus]] to act as the [[Dimensional Patrol]]'s headquarters, allowing the original Brave Maximus to be returned to Earth. {{storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}}

[[Devil Z]] recounted the story about how the Oracle became Vector Sigma and how these events had unintentionally led to his creation. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Grand Maximus)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

====''Wings Universe''====
Alpha Trion used Vector Sigma to bring [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] to life. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 44|''Wings Universe'' Jhiaxus bio}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Machines'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Carol Savenkoff]] (English), [[Nobutoshi Canna]] (Japanese)|[[Emanuela Damasio]] (Italian), [[Martina Treger]] (German)}}

[[File:Oracle (The Reformatting).jpg|thumb|225px|The Oracle usually appears outwardly like a ball of "outer space", but many things can be displayed on its fluid surface. A swirling mass of sparks is another common visual.]]

Three hundred years after the end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] between the Autobots and Decepticons, Vector Sigma had faded into legend until it was rediscovered by [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] and his small band of [[Maximal]]s while they were on the run from [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]], who had conquered the entire planet. By this point in time, however, Vector Sigma had become outfitted with an additional layer of "security" that helped to mediate access to its power: the "[[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]]", a "shell program" of sorts that would only allow Transformers with a "receptive [[spark]]" to access Vector Sigma. To protect Primal's Maximals from the effects of the [[transformation virus]] Megatron had used to conquer Cybertron, the Oracle reformatted them into new [[technorganic]] forms {{storylink|The Reformatting}}

[[File:Vector sigma core.jpg|left|225px|thumb|A Diagnostic Drone interfaces with the Vector Sigma core, which appears very similar to the Generation 1 Vector Sigma.]]

Through the Oracle and Vector Sigma, Optimus Primal came to commune with the [[Transformer afterlife|Allspark]], the extradimensional source of all Transformer life to which the computer was revealed to be connected, and believed that it was the will of the Allspark that Cybertron be restored to its organic beginnings. {{storylink|Survivor}} In truth, Primal was incorrect—the Oracle actually desired a ''balance'' between the organic and the technological—but it would take the disastrous unleashing of Vector Sigma's power to make him realize this. When Megatron's treacherous general, [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]], discovered that Vector Sigma lay at the heart of the Oracle, he used the sparkless [[Diagnostic Drone]] to access Vector Sigma and withdraw the code for the mega-computer's key. {{storylink|The Key}} Arming the [[Tank Drone]]s at his command with the power of the Key to Vector Sigma, Tankor had Megatron unleash the key's energies upon Cybertron, in order to purge any trace of organic matter from the world by converting it into metal. Optimus Primal countered by unleashing the power of the Plasma Energy Chamber, and two enegies violently cancelled each other out. {{storylink|End of the Line}} Primal was killed by the energy backlash and travelled to the Allspark, but chose not to join it, now understanding what the Oracle truly desired. Primal returned to reality via the Oracle, and the computer—Vector Sigma core and all—vanished. {{storylink|Fallout (episode)|Fallout}}

{{--}}

====3H comics====
The Oracle was revealed to have been a shell program constructed by the [[Quintesson]]s in an attempt to harness the power of Vector Sigma (which the Quintesson [[Al-Badur]] described as "the ultimate physical embodiment" of Primus) and cut off its connection to the Transformers it birthed. Using the Oracle, the Quintessons allegedly fed Optimus Primal the visions and information necessary to orchestrate the technorganic reformatting of Cybertron, believing that it would leave the Cybertronians weak and disoriented, opening the planet up to an easy conquest. {{storylink|Disclosure}} In actuality, however, it was the Quintessons themselves who were being manipulated, by Primus, who used the greedy aliens to instigate this great evolutionary leap for his children. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

===''A Birth of Planet Saybertron''===
Vector Sigma was originally a computer built within a mere satellite. It was the result of the greatest minds of a coalition of planets coming together to assemble an instrument that would ensure peace between their civilizations. But the computer malfunctioned, and the satellite begun drawing in materials from other satellites to build itself up. Those who had built the computer tried to stop it, but found themselves unable to defeat the rapidly-evolving machine. Cybertron came to strip its galactic neighborhood of its resources, extinguishing the life of its creators. Over time, primitive machines sprung from it, eventually evolving into the Transformers. {{storylink|A Birth of Planet Saybertron}}

===''Beast Wars Neo'' manga===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Double Cross}}}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
Vector Sigma was the internal computer of Primus, which he used to analyze what was happening in the universe via information gained from the [[Sonic Canyons]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}} After taking control of Cybertron, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] attempted to access Vector Sigma and download its information, but concluded that he needed the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to initiate an uplink. Capturing Optimus Prime, he forcibly removed the Matrix from the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] and initiated a complete download. {{storylink|War and Peace}} However, the information was so great that it overwhelmed Shockwave's multiple secondary computers, spilling into whatever available memory it could find, including the as yet-to-be activated [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Generation One}}

===2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
[[File:ForcedFusion RID vectorsigma.jpg|thumb|Is this from ''Transformers'' or ''Bubble Bobble''?]]
[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] was chosen by "the Allspark", Vector Sigma, to carry the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and lead the Autobots. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}
{{-}}

===''Animated'' cartoon===
Although never actually seen, Vector Sigma's existence was noted by [[Yoketron (Animated)|Yoketron]]. Like the more-famous [[AllSpark]], it possessed the ability to create Transformer life, and was used to continue the growth of the Cybertronian race after the AllSpark was jettisoned into space to end the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The Allspark Almanac II}}

===Live-action film series===
[[File:VectorSigma-DOTM.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Yep, this is very live-action film-y looking, yessirree.]]
The great historian [[Alpha Trion (ROTF)|Alpha Trion]] preserved important datatracks from Vector Sigma, the "Cybertronian Database". Some of these datatracks told of a handful of battles on the planet [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Cyber Missions|Cyber Missions}} Vector Sigma also, more appropriately, held records of the Transformer race's long history, its artifacts and terminology, and its most important combatants.<ref>Transformers.com's ''Dark of the Moon'' website</ref>
{{-}}

===Aligned continuity family===
====''The Covenant of Primus''====
[[File:COP-VectorSigmaAlphaTrion.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The power to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to Vector Sigma!]]
A prototype of Vector Sigma was utilized by the [[Thirteen]] to simulate battle strategies against [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]]. The full scale model was created after the Chaos Bringer's defeat and before the War of the Primes. Unlike the device that would much later become the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Vector Sigma would remain unchanged over the eons.

During the [[Age of Rust]], Alpha Trion went to Vector Sigma to try and acquire the Matrix hoping to reignite the lost fire of Cybertronian society. Vector Sigma refused saying the time was not right but gave him the [[Badge of Vector Prime]] instead. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

====Aligned novels====
Vector Sigma had become a myth. Many believed it was located within the [[Sonic Canyons]], although a few of Cybertron's elite knew it was located beneath [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. When the [[Decepticon]]s bombed the Sonic Canyons, they bombed the area where an entrance to Vector Sigma was said to be located, causing outrage among Cybertronians. When the Autobots left Cybertron on the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] opted to remain behind, believing the computer would keep him alive. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

Shockwave eventually found it and tried to use Alpha Trion as a substitute key only to learn the ancient Prime had looped a false access code around his necrocortex. Undeterred, Shockwave began pumping [[Dark Energon]] into the computer to try and override its security despite Alpha Trion's protests. His plans were stopped by the [[Wrecker]]s rescuing Trion but the Prime despaired as Shockwave's experiments had attracted something [[Quintesson|monstrous]] to Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

====''Prime'' cartoon====
[[File:OrionPaxPart3 Vector Sigma.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
The entrance to Vector Sigma was, unbeknownst to the [[Decepticon]]s, located beneath their capital of [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]. It remained there untouched throughout the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]] until [[Jack Darby]] and [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] followed the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] to it. In the chamber below the planet's surface, Jack used the Key to activate the supercomputer and began to download the contents of the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. Despite an attack of [[scraplet]]s, the download was successful, and Vector Sigma disappeared back into the depths. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}
{{--}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:ChaosGalvatronVectorSigma.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"I did it thirty-five minutes ago."]]

In the Cybertronian's creation myth, [[Guiding Hand|their gods]] went to war against one of their own, [[Mortilus|the god of death]], and the light-bringer Primus was so badly wounded that he had to merge with Cybertron itself in order to survive. He reformatted himself into Vector Sigma, the life-giving supercomputer in the core of the planet. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations}} Another tale put forth the idea that Primus had fashioned Vector Sigma as his crypt in preparing for his physical demise. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|The God War}}

Whatever its true origin, Vector Sigma became the source of new Transformer life in Cybertron's early era by periodically sending out pulsewaves that ignited new [[hot spot]]s of [[spark]]s across the planet and the moons. Following the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]] however, these waves began to grow less frequent and eventually ceased, forcing [[Nova Prime]] to extract new sparks from the [[Matrix of Leadership]] instead. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}}

Vector Sigma would continue to serve as Cybertron's primary source of [[energon]], and the religious myths surrounding it caused many to believe it was a miracle machine that would continue to provide them with energy forever. [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]], on the other hand, thought the computer to be part of a system that wasn't designed to handle the sprawling metropolis Cybertron had become thanks to Nova Prime's population boost, and feared that it would eventually run dry. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} His prediction apparently came true, as Cybertron was eventually crippled by widespread energon shortage. {{storylink|The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy}} {{storylink|The Transformers: Monstrosity|Monstrosity}}

According to [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], Vector Sigma was "essentially erased" when Cybertron was rendered a dead and uninhabitable world by the long war and [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s rampage. {{storylink|Ironing Out the Details}}

The psychotic [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]], being manipulated by the [[D-Void]] through the [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]], believed that destroying Cybertron would save the universe when, in fact, it would merge it with the [[Dead Universe]], killing all forms of life. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] attempted to stop him, but were too late to prevent him from feeding the Heart of Darkness into Vector Sigma. While [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], [[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]], and [[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] fought with Galvatron, Rodimus convinced an initially reluctant Optimus that the only way to save Cybertron and the universe was to release the Matrix of Leadership inside Vector Sigma. Agreeing, Prime leapt into Vector Sigma, opening the Matrix and preventing the assault of the Dead Universe on Cybertron and the rest of the universe. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|Genesis}} Unexpectedly, however, this resulted in the rebirth of Cybertron itself. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}}

Some years later, Cybertron was invaded by the [[Iron Ring]] eventually resulting in one of their number, the [[Prysmosian]] sorcerer [[Merklynn]], using the [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]] to create the city of [[New Prysmos]] deep in Cybertron's underground. {{storylink|First Strike issue 6|First Strike #6}}

The Cybertronians eventually placed New Prysmos under quarantine with [[Breakdown (IDW)|Breakdown]] unintentionally discovering that the Talisman's energies were spreading outwards from the alien city after a portion of it had decayed his arm. Following this, [[Wheeljack (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Wheeljack]] began to examine the Talisman energy surrounding New Prysmos and found that the device itself was burrowing its way down to Vector Sigma, apparently intent on completing the terraforming process. [[Ironhide (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ironhide]] did not take this news well. {{storylink|Schismatic}}

Wheeljack eventually constructed an anti-Talisman bomb that if detonated close enough to the supercomputer could immunize it against [[magic]]. {{storylink|Desperate Measures (Transformers vs. Visionaries)|Desperate Measures}} After [[Quickswitch]] transported the bomb to Vector Sigma's antechamber, {{storylink|Good Men}} it went off at the same time as [[Galadria]]'s healing spell managing to preserve Vector Sigma while moving New Prysmos to Cybertron's surface. {{storylink|The Curtain}}

Though it was preserved, Vector Sigma was still poisoned by the Talisman's energies. While imprisoned, Shockwave revealed to [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] that this had been goal, intending for Vector Sigma's consumption to poison and kill [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. {{storylink|Unicron issue 1|Unicron #1}} When Unicron arrived at Cybertron however, he physically tore the planet in two with his robot mode, destroying Vector Sigma while leaving the Chaos Bringer unharmed. {{storylink|Road's End}}

====The Functionist Universe====

When the [[Functionist Council]] discovered [[Nova Prime]]'s stockpile of Sparks, they deemed it heretical that the [[Senate]] would try to use them. The Senate responded by sealing Vector Sigma's chamber behind a wall of [[ununtrium]]. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}} Since ununtrium could cut ununtrium, this was, at best, a minor inconvenience for the Functionists but they left the supercomputer alone out of fear that their [[Key to Vector Sigma|collective alternate mode]] was unnecessary to activate it. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}}

Millions of years later, the Council "discovered" that the true purpose of [[Rung (G1)|Rung's]] alternate mode was to drill through the wall and free Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}} Fearing what the Council could do with Vector Sigma, [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] led a team to try and rescue Rung before they breached the chamber. The group arrived too late and were met by [[Six-of-Twelve]] whom Rodimus insulted before tackling him into Vector Sigma's chamber. His team followed and were horrified by the sight of, {{storylink|Dissolution Part 4: Bad Moon Rising|Bad Moon Rising}} Six using the false Matrix as an agony beam to torture Rodimus. Using Rung as a false hostage, [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] got Rodimus freed and the group escaped back to the surface and onto the [[Cog (base)|Cog]]. On the ship, Rung explained that once the Council learned of his ability to generate [[Photonic crystal|photonic crystals]], they'd tried to tap the [[Matrix of Leadership]] for Sparks but failed due to it being a fake so they instead turned to Vector Sigma to extract all the Sparks they needed to build a galaxy conquering army. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}}

After turning Cybertron itself into a cosmic engine of destruction, the planet's lack of mobility proved a hinderance to Functionist Council. To counteract this, the Council engineered Cybertron with a robot mode in [[Primus]]'s likeness, which was directed by seven of the remaining eleven councillors, all merged with Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|The Return of the King}} [[Team Rodimus]] eventually hit on a plan to exploit Vector Sigma's connection to Cybertron's [[hot spot]]s to overwhelm the supercomputer's defences and kill the councillors who had merged with it. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremebering}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
After Megatron had seized the [[Matrix of Leadership]], {{storylink|Pax Megatronus}} the talisman led him to the face of [[Primus]], deep beneath Cybertron's surface. Using the Matrix, Megatron managed to pervert Vector Sigma causing the supercomputer to begin reshaping Cybertron into Megatron's likeness. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
At some point during the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], Vector Sigma was destroyed, threatening the Cybertronian species with eventual extinction. However, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] desired for his race to have some kind of future and made contact with the humans, who had forced the end of planet-devastating Great War. Maximus was granted the [[Energon Matrix|energon matrix]] to replace Vector Sigma, and thus the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s were born. {{storylink|Head Games}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
[[File:Vector Sigma (Cyberverse - Megatron Is My Hero).jpg|thumb|right|Unfortunately "Shiny Ball" was confused at the time.]]
When Cybertron fell to war, Vector Sigma's chamber was seized by the [[Decepticon]]s. [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]] intended to use the supercomputer to reprogram the [[AllSpark]] and have it birth whole generations of Decepticons, delegating [[Shockwave (Cyberverse)|Shockwave]] to base himself in the computer's chamber. When the Autobots caught wind of this, [[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]] was sent down to Vector Sigma to gleam the Decepticon plan only to be chased away by [[Shockwave's drones]]. {{storylink|Megatron Is My Hero}}

{{-}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
After being brought to life by their respective factions thanks to Vector Sigma, the Aerialbots and the Stunticons fought for control of the supercomputer. Though the Autobots ultimately triumphed, the Decepticons made their escape in possession of the Key to Vector Sigma. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1 (Legends)|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1}}

==Merchandise==
===Timelines===
[[File:VectorSigmaBotcon07b.jpg|thumb|Long have you hunted me. Long have I eluded you.]]
*A hollow plastic Vector Sigma, packaged with a removable Circuit Key and a clear "hovering effect" display stand, was produced by the Lukis Bros of [http://www.unicron.com/ Unicron.com] as a special souvenir item offered [[exclusive]]ly at [[BotCon 2007]].

:The sphere of Vector Sigma was designed to scale with the contemporary-at-the-time ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' toys, while the slot for the key was intentionally designed to enable the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]] mold to be inserted into the sphere, allowing Safeguard to function as an alternative personal key for [[Vector Prime]] to use to access Vector Sigma himself.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10153596737309912&id=317740274911</ref>
{{-}}

===Masterpiece===
[[File:VectorSigmaMP10.jpg|right|thumb]]
*'''Masterpiece Optimus Prime''' (2014)

:Vector Sigma came as an exclusive with the Hasbro Asia re-release of the Hasbro version of ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' MP-10 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mp10hasbro|Optimus Prime]]. It contained a hollow plastic Vector Sigma, a removable Circuit Key and a cardboard stand.
{{--}}

==Notes==
*According to episode writer [[David Wise]] at various conventions (such as [[BotCon 2009]]), he was instructed to include Vector Sigma when writing "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1|The Key to Vector Sigma]]" as part of the [[Hasbro]] episode mandates. Not knowing what Vector Sigma was, he pressed story editor [[Bryce Malek]], who in turn had to go to Hasbro to learn that Vector Sigma was "the computer that gave all the Transformers personalities". This caused Malek to respond: "Well, it didn't do a very good job, did it!" Of course, this does raise the question of ''where'' the Vector Sigma concept originated, as nothing like it was ever used by [[Bob Budiansky]] in the Marvel comics or toyline [[bio]]s.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Vector Sigma''' (ベクターシグマ ''Bekutā Shiguma''), (The Rebirth, ベクトル・シグマ ''Bektoru Shiguma'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Mólì Shénqiú''' (魔力神球, "Magic Ball"), '''Sigma Shǐliàng''' (西格玛矢量, "Sigma Vector")
*''Russian:'' '''Sigma Computer''' (Сигма Компьютер ''Sigma Kompʹyuter'')

==References==
<references />

==See also==
*[[Primus]]
*[[Transformer afterlife]]

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/2007/VectorSigma/VectorSigma/vectorsigma.htm Vector Sigma on TFU.info]

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Beast Machines]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Neo]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising]]
[[Category:Computers]]
[[Category:Cybertron]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon]]
[[Category:Generation 1 computers]]
[[Category:Kiss Players]]
[[Category:Prime]]
[[Category:Primus]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001)]]
[[Category:The Headmasters]]
[[Category:TransTech]]
[[Category:Universe (2003)]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron]]

The Arisen

2018-10-12T21:53:59Z

BumbleBeeCee:

:''The Arisen is a member of the [[Thirteen]] from the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:TAAO9 the arisen.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.25|After years of ignoring Grigori, the Arisen's scar grew to cover most of his torso.]]
The true name of the Cybertronian known only as '''the Arisen''' cannot be found in any record on either [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] or [[Caminus]]. All that is known of him is that he is the [[Thirteenth Prime|thirteenth member]] of the [[Thirteen|original Thirteen Primes]].

==Fiction==
===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Transformers vol. 2 #47]] (mentioned); [[Heavy|Transformers: Till All Are One #9]] (obscured image)
Like the other Primes, the robot would become known as the Arisen once ruled over one of the [[Thirteen Tribes]] in the ancient days of Cybertron. Along with four others, he was attracted to the [[Crystal City]] alliance and became one of the Thirteen Primes. As Crystal City grew and expanded, he joined his fellow [[Prime (rank)|Primes]] in its citadel. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

[[File:OP18 Thirteen in Crystal City.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|That's me in the corner. That's [[Prima|him]] in the spotlight, building a religion.]]
He and his brethren would later vanish from the planet when war tore the tribes apart, and disappeared into legend. For reasons unknown, his name was stricken from history, along with that of his brother [[The Fallen|Megatronus]]; whereas Megatronus became known only as "the Fallen," he was dubbed "the Arisen." {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}} Eons afterwards, [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] would send one of his [[Regenesis]] ores to a planet associated with the Arisen. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

Like his fellows, the Arisen would be deified by subsequent generations of Cybertronians. He in particular would go onto to be revered as the "true [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]", {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}} and was foretold to lead Cybertron's defence during [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s second coming. {{storylink|Unicron issue 1|Unicron #1}}

In the present day, upon meeting [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]], the [[Mistress of Flame]] of Caminus came to believe that he was the Arisen. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 3: The Medium and the Message|The Medium and the Message}} [[Pyra Magna]] and her [[Torchbearer]]s considered this sacrilege, and departed from the Mistress's service for it. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}} Optimus did not believe it himself either, but he unwittingly lent credence to the Mistress's beliefs when he annexed [[Earth]] into the [[Council of Worlds]], and raised [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]] from beneath the planet's surface. This seemed to prove both that Earth was one of the Thirteen Primes' colonies, and that, thanks to his ability to command its [[Titan (IDW)|Titan]], Optimus's divine identity was also true. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 3: The Medium and the Message|The Medium and the Message}} Optimus would not even countenance the notion, but began to exploit the religious faith that Caminus and the other colonies placed in him in order to accomplish good deeds on Earth. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|Dance Among the Shadows}}

When [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Onyx Prime]] returned to Cybertron, Optimus Prime invited him down to the surface for a rational discussion. Onyx agreed, declaring the state of Cybertron as Optimus's responsibility, for the younger Prime ''was'' none other than the Arisen. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of the Primes}}

During the conversation with Onyx, he referred to Optimus as the Arisen, before Optimus requested to simply be referred to by his name, a request Onyx acquiesced to. When [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] tried to take over the discussion, the Mistress came to Optimus' defence, reiterating her belief that he was the Arisen. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} Once Optimus had seemingly perished, [[Liege Maximo]] would also refer to him as having been the Arisen. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*The IDW continuity's depiction of the Thirteen is based virtually entirely on the [[Aligned continuity family]] versions of the characters. There, the thirteenth Prime is [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], who sacrificed himself and was reincarnated into the present-day incarnation of the character. Although Shockwave and the Mistress of Flame seemed convinced of Optimus' identity as the Arisen, whether he went through the same history as his Aligned counterpart remains to be seen.

==See also==
*[[Thirteenth Prime]]

{{thirteen}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Arisen}}
[[Category:Fiction-only Transformers]]
[[Category:IDW Generation 1 Transformers]]
[[Category:Thirteen]]

Thirteenth Prime

2018-10-12T21:49:14Z

BumbleBeeCee: /* Fiction */

{{disambig3|Thirteen}}
[[File:POTP-SDCC-2018-Throne-of-the-Primes-Thirteenth-Prime.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|[[Optimal Situation|"This Matrix has the spark with it!"]]]]

The '''Thirteenth Prime''', or more briefly '''13''', is the last of the [[Thirteen]] original epic warriors of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Cloaked in mystery even more than his fellow [[Prime (rank)|Primes]], this nameless warrior's legacy is carried forwards in the [[Autobot]] [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|leaders of the present day]].

==Fiction==
===Aligned continuity family===
[[File:TheVisionary.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.7|After years of neglect from the [[X-Men]] writers, Chamber began moonlighting as a Transformers character.]]
{{main|Optimus Prime (WFC)}}
The Thirteenth Prime was '''Optimus Prime''', the mediator and visionary of the Primes, who united them by being the first of their number to raise a hand in greeting. After the Thirteen were torn apart by internal conflict, Optimus chose to be reborn as an ordinary Cybertronian through the [[Well of All Sparks]], losing memory of his past and becoming known as '''Orion Pax'''. Pax would eventually take up the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to become Optimus Prime once again, and—after sacrificing his life to restore Cybertron—rejoined his brethren in the [[Realm of the Primes]], where they trained him for a mission to Earth in order to defeat his fallen brother [[The Fallen|Megatronus]].

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:OP18 Thirteen in Crystal City.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|"This outfit makes you want to lurk in the shadows, waiting for a turn in the spotlight."]]
{{main|The Arisen}}
The Thirteenth Prime—whose name was eventually forgotten, with Cybertron remembering him only as '''the Arisen'''—was one of the leaders of the [[Thirteen Tribes]], who came together with his fellow Primes in [[Crystal City]] to build a new civilization. Millions of years later, the [[Mistress of Flame]] would come to believe that [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] was the Arisen, a belief that Optimus exploited to effect change on [[Earth]]; and [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] named Optimus as the Arisen while in the guise of [[Onyx Prime]].
{{-}}

===Power of the Primes marketing material===
The [[Prime Master]] of '''the Thirteenth''' formed the core of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], which selected [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimal Optimus]] as its bearer. {{storylink|Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Power of the Primes|Throne of the Primes packaging}}

==Games==
[[File:ForgedtoFight-13.jpg|right|thumb|300px|sorry these days I go by "bestest number one"]]
===''Forged to Fight''===
[[The Fallen|Megatronus]] immediately recognized [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] as '''13''', a fellow original Prime, and asked him to accept the truth of his past. Optimus Prime didn't really seem to understand what Megatronus was talking about. {{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generations===
*'''Throne of the Primes''' (Leader Class, 2018)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''PP-43'''
:A retool of [[Prime Master]] [[Vector Prime#Generations|Vector Prime]], ''Power of the Primes'' "The Thirteenth" is based on [[Prima#Marvel Comics continuity|Prima]]'s appearance in the Marvel Generation 1 comic. As a Prime Master, The Thirteenth can store inside any decoy armor, or plug into any decoy armor's weapon form, or replace the [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Power of the Primes|Matrix]] core of a ''Power of the Primes'' Leader Class figure. He can also ride Legends Class figures, or attach to Deluxe Class figures' chest armor, Voyager Class figures' bucklers, or Voyager Class figures' combined modes. He can also attach to the included [[Scepter of Sparks]] and [[Halo of Primus]].

:This set debuted at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2018, and was later sold via [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] online. It was also available at general retail in Taiwan.

==Notes==
[[File:Prima.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.1|"Identity theft is not a joke, ''Jim''!"]]
*The "Multiversal" Thirteen established by [[Fun Publications]] in "[[Ask Vector Prime]]" do not seem to have an especially significant thirteenth member.
*It's not entirely explicit what's going on with The Thirteenth in ''Power of the Primes'', but context clues ''seem'' to indicate that he's in some way the embodiment of the Matrix of Leadership itself: he isn't mentioned in the description of the [[Halo of Primus]], which only mentions the "12 Prime Masters", but shows The Thirteenth as the core of the Matrix, and the exclusive Prime Master collector card marked with his symbol only describes how the Matrix has chosen Optimal Optimus to lead Cybertron into a new era.<ref>The description of the Halo also mentions that "the powers of [[Primus]] are united as one", but whether this means as one bearer or as one Prime Master is left frustratingly vague.</ref> This would seem to line up with comments made by [[Hasbro]] representatives at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2017 that the Thirteenth Prime ''was'' whoever bore the Matrix of Leadership.
*The Prime Master of The Thirteenth is visually based on [[Prima]] as he appeared in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel ''Transformers'' comics]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''The Thirteen''' (ザ・サーティーン ''Za Sātīn'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Thirteen}}

[[Category:Disambiguation pages]]
[[Category:Prime Masters]]
[[Category:Thirteen]]

Reproduction

2018-10-11T21:39:55Z

BumbleBeeCee: /* Cold construction */ Removed statement since Rung was confirmed to be unique.

[[File:MangaDinoforceBabies.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|HOW IS BABBY FORMED?]]
Various '''reproduction''' methods for the [[Transformer]]s species have been demonstrated across various continuities.

{{quote|This is only one method of creating new Transformers. There are others.|[[Bob Budiansky]] knows not to leave himself tied down, in his pitch for the Matrix concept<ref name="BC10">[http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc10/bc10bb.html griffin's 2010 BotCon report]</ref>}}

==Mechanical construction==
Sometimes, new Transformers are simply built from scratch, and that's all it takes. A suitable Transformer body is constructed, and when finished and turned on, it just springs to life.
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
Three notable examples of this type of reproduction appear in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]: when [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] and company create the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}} {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}} when the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s turn an [[Earth]] city into [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} and when the temporarily super-intelligent [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] creates the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]]. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

[[File:SOSDinobots buildingSludge.jpg|left|thumb|"I've been workin' on the Dinobot, all the live long day..."]]
The Dinobots are initially very simple mentally and are ordered to be deactivated because they are too dangerous. Wheeljack then develops a set of crown-like devices to place on the Dinobots which greatly enhances their intellect, although they are still "dumb" and childlike compared to the other Autobots. The Technobots, on the other hand, are immediately fully functional, and some of them are even ''smarter'' than average Transformers. If one were to take these facts as canonically meaningful (rather than simply the whims of the writers of those episodes), it could be guessed that programming a functional Transformer brain from scratch is extremely difficult, such that even Wheeljack is not up to the job. Temporarily super-genius Grimlock may be the only one capable. However, one must also note that the Dinobots were built and programmed to be as similar to dinosaurs as possible, including the limited intelligence; the Technobots, however, were built by Grimlock with intelligence in mind, as it was the only way to counter [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]]'s brute power.

At least on the surface, this "built from scratch" approach runs counter to claims in other episodes of the show that [[Vector Sigma]] is needed to create new Transformer life. (See below.) However, since Vector Sigma is presented as being a supercomputer and not a "magical" device like the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comics']] [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], it could fall in with the speculative statements above regarding Grimlock and Wheeljack. Perhaps Vector Sigma is simply an advanced enough computer that it is capable of constructing a working mind.
{{-}}

==Infusion==
{{see also|Sacred implement}}
[[File:Creation Matrix 65.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Go on, rub it and make a wish...]]
In other stories, once a new Transformer body has been built, it must still be infused with life (what the fiction from the Beast era and after would gloss as a [[spark]]) from a "god-like" outside source. In the Generation 1 cartoon, this source is Vector Sigma; in the Marvel comics, it is the Creation Matrix, which houses the essence of [[Primus]], the Transformers' creator-god. In the [[Beast Era|Beast era]] cartoons, sparks arrive from the [[Transformer afterlife|Allspark]], perhaps through Vector Sigma. (In many continuities, each Transformer's life force is a fragment of Primus's own.) The [[Movie (franchise)|live-action movie]] continuities function with the [[AllSpark]] being the source of infusion as well, though in that case, "living" and "sentient" are not quite the same thing. (See: [[AllSpark Mutation]].)

[[File:VectorSigmaG1.jpg|left|thumb|Vector Sigma holds "Disco Night" every Friday at 11 pm.]]
In the [[The Transformers Adventure Game Books|''Transformers'' Adventure Game Book]] "[[Desert of Danger]]", Hot Rod refers to his creation after the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] left Cybertron as when he was "matrixed". How exactly this would have happened if Optimus Prime was aboard the Ark with the Matrix at the time is unknown, but one option might be the [[Matrix Flame]].

The Matrix Flame is an artifact which allows Transformers on Cybertron to access the power of the Matrix even when it is no longer on Cybertron. Literally a flame, it is used to breathe life in the super warrior [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] in the UK comics. The flame is somehow linked to the Matrix, and when the Matrix is transported to another dimension during "[[Target: 2006]]", the flame goes out, forcing the Autobots on Cybertron to investigate.

The [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' guide provides yet another method of infusion. According to the guide's entry on [[protoform]]s in issue #8, in the [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity]], Transformers generally begin life as a skeletal mass of partially formed circuits—a [[Protoform]]. These are kept in stasis pods filled with nurturing nutrient gel. They can be built to certain specifications or be fairly general, allowing the robot to form naturally upon introduction of a spark. Sparks, and hence life, usually come from the Matrix, ''BUT'', if the Matrix is absent, life can be granted by attuning the protoform to an energy wavelength similar to the Matrix and then applying a concentrated burst of energon. This alternative is rarely used, as it is extremely resource-consumptive, requiring restrictively high amounts of energon.

[[File:Allspark movie.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"RESISTANCE IS FERTILE."]]
The Movie continuity's [[AllSpark]] works by infusion as well, just on an even more impressive scale. It is capable of infusing any inanimate machine with life and simultaneously altering its structure so that it is capable of transforming into a Cybertronian-style robot. The AllSpark fragments spread across Detroit in the ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' continuity show the same ability to alter non-living machines into new Transformers (as well as unrelated powers like slowing time and remote controlling other Cybertronians.) Although, outside of the toy biographies for certain characters, the AllSpark in the movie merely creates non-sentient, animalistic life-forms out of ordinary machines, rather than fully developed Cybertronians, suggesting some kind of evolutionary development towards sentience.

====IDW Generation 1 continuity====
[[File:Chromedome and Rodimus with a spark.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|left|Baby ''boom''? Baby fuel-air bomb!]]
Cybertronians are normally created through one of two methods: they are either "'''forged'''" or "'''constructed cold'''." Their names include a "of [place]" suffix to describe where they were born, e.g. "Megatron of [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]]".

=====Forging=====
'''Forging''' was the natural way for Cybertronians to be created. An energy pulse from Vector Sigma would flash across the world, igniting a hot spot where new sparks would emerge from the planet. There would be great rejoicing and ceremony, and the sparks and base substance—the "[[Living metal|sentio metallico]]"—would be sought out and harvested from the living metal of Cybertron or its moons. The harvested sparks would then be matured via a process known as "the nurturing". {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} The sentio metallico coalesces around a spark to form a [[protoform]]. Beginning as a simple geometric shape, a protoform develops into a mature Transformer through a process known as "deep-coding:" by following the "genetic instructions" hard-coded within their [[spark]], it develops basic limbs and facial features and eventually manifests components, such as wheels or wings, that will become part of their natural [[alternate mode]]. {{storylink|Silent Light}}

Occasionally, however, the protoform will struggle to read the spark's instructions and fail to assume a shape. A specialized medical professional known as a "[[blacksmith]]"–essentially a Cybertronian midwife–will help the protoform along by sculpting the metal into its most natural shape. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}}

As the protoform develops, it "cools" into a solid mechanical form. Now sufficiently humanoid to move under its own power, the young Transformer develops synaptic connections by imprinting on its surroundings, and by doing so it learns how to walk, talk, interact with others, and even [[Transformation|transform]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}} {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}}

[[File:Overlords spark remembrance day.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|Overlord was killing fools before he was even alive. [http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/92372-more-than-meets-the-eye-14/?p=2262280]]]
Transformers grow extremely fast: from its first "first flash," a Spark takes only two weeks to develop into a full-fledged Transformer, {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}} with the specific protoform-to-Transformer phase taking anywhere from two to five days. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists|This Machine Kills Fascists}} {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}}

Some naturally-born sparks are "[[Point One Percenter]]s" (about 0.01% of the population), with abilities greater than than the average Transformer. Known "Point One Percenters" include Overlord {{storylink|Remembrance Day}}, Minimus Ambus, and Roller {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}}, while Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, Scorponok, and Shockwave are implied to be. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}}

=====Cold construction=====
[[File:YourFirstMistake-ColdConstruction.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|Sex Ed. Volume 1, or: '''PANTS FULL OF SHAME'''."]]
'''Cold Construction''' was a method created later when [[Nova Prime]] learned natural spark creation was slowing. Fearful (correctly, as it would turn out) that the pulsewaves from Vector Sigma would eventually halt entirely, leaving him without enough Transformers to create the grand galactic empire he envisioned, Nova entrusted the Matrix of Leadership to his scientists and charged them with tapping the fabled energy of creation legends claimed it possessed. The scientists, headed by [[Solomus|Tyrest]], succeeded in doing so and were able to generate thousands of sparks a day, which were then housed in pre-constructed bodies. Sparks were produced at such a rapid rate that they had to be stockpiled until new bodies could be constructed; {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} their energies were frozen in [[photonic crystal]]s, which would be placed inside the new bodies in order to thaw out, hence the term "constructed cold". {{storylink|The Lopsided Triangle}} Recently, it was revealed that photonic crystals were not artificially engineered by Tyrest and his science team, but produced naturally by [[Rung (G1)|Rung of the Pious Pools]] and his alt mode. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}}

Matrix-derived sparks contained the same genetic instructions as naturally occurring ones, but were unable to reshape their pre-constructed bodies in accordance, leaving cold constructed Transformers with different bodies from what their sparks intended. {{storylink|Your First Mistake}}

Recognizing the potential for outcry against what they were doing, a cover story was put in place to explain the birth of these new Transformers: the public were told that they were created via '''spark-splicing''', using the energy of a Forged spark to ignite a new one. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} Eventually, one of the scientists had an attack of conscience and stole the Matrix, replacing it with a forgery; unaware of this, Tyrest and his team believed that they had bled the Matrix dry. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} The public were never told why the "spark-splicing" program was stopped; as such, by the time of Nominus Prime's assassination, Senator Shockwave had made repeated lobbies to resurrect it. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}}

After the disappearance of Nova Prime, negative feelings about cold construction led to apartheid against "knock offs", with some city-states 'proving' that they were substandard. {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} Religion was brought into it: the fact that many of the best medics were forged (due to the fluidity and dexterity of their hands) was taken as proof of the god [[Adaptus]]. {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}} By the time [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] was first arrested, the apartheid was ''officially'' considered a thing of the past, cough cough. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}}

[[File:TheLopsidedTriangle-MTOs.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|]]

As the war dragged on, the Autobots discovered a long abandoned cache of frozen sparks from the days of Tyrest's experiments. They cold-constructed robots to fill out their ranks: "Made to Order" soldiers ([[M.T.O.]]s), who to some were seen as little more than cannon fodder. Instead of a city-state, MTOs were named after the battles or campaigns they were activated for, e.g. "[[Getaway]] of the [[Corcapsia Incursion]]". A formal education process was established for the MTOs, a Ten Step program they needed to pass before being declared fit for duty that involved lots of data packets, revision, and exams. As the war continued, however, Ten Steps went down to Seven Steps and finally to Three Steps, which were simply uploaded into their minds as their sparks were thawing out, allowing them to deposited directly onto the battle field as soon as they came fully online. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}} Presumably, Decepticon M.T.O.s such as [[Ambulon]] were constructed using similar procedures, but the details of their programs are not fully known.

=====Other methods=====
Megatron occupies a unique position as the first (and possibly only) hybrid. Originating as a wholly cold-constructed bot, the body's original spark was destroyed by a time-travelling [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]]; a Point One Percenter spark which had been harvested on Luna 1 in the present day was placed in the empty shell by [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], thus creating the Megatron who ultimately led the Decepticons in this timeline. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}} The ramifications of a forged or constructed cold body (with pre-existing brain module) swapping out a spark like this are unknown. In somewhat similar circumstances, Megatron placed the spark of the Quintesson [[Pentius]] in the body of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. The being that emerged seemed to have the memories of both Pentius and the pre-existing Trypticon. {{storylink|Primacy issue 1|Primacy #1}} Similarly, when [[Slag (G1)|Slug]] was killed, he was brought back to life with a mutated but unused spark. The only apparent difference was Slug's susceptibility to being controlled with a [[Void Scepter]]. {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 1}}

[[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] were created by Decepticon scientists after many failed attempts. The failed attempts lived on and were collectively known as [[Insecticon swarm|"the swarm"]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron}}

Early on in the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], the scientist [[Tarantulas (BW)#IDW Generation 1 continuity|Mesothulas]] was working on a ''third'' method of "reproduction": creating artificial [[spark]]s through synthesized Matrix energy, then placing them into robotic bodies, maintained by an identical copy of the Matrix's energy field. The only known being created through this method was [[Springer (G1)|Ostaros]], indistinguishable from any other Cybertronian save for the circumstances of his creation. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}} Ostaros was later integrated into Cybertronian society under the name of Springer. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|Sins of the Wreckers #5}} Whether or not Springer counts as a "true" Cybertronian, or merely an advanced <s>replicant</s> <s>synth</s> robot, is presumably up to the reader to decide.

After the war, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] figured out a fourth. By mining the [[Magnificence]] for knowledge, he learned how to infuse organic lifeforms with extracted sparks. It's not clear if the consciousness of the original robot survives the transplantation. These organics, reproducing normally, would generate offspring with sparks of their own, and so on and so on until their population reached a desired number, at which point their sparks could be harvested and placed back into cold-constructed mechanical bodies. Using the spark of [[Rat-a-Tat-Tat|one of his associates]], Scorponok was able to create the infant [[Firstborn]] as a proof of concept, but his efforts were ultimately for naught when he lost possession of both the child and the Magnificence. {{storylink|Kill All 'Cons}}

=====Characters by origin=====
{{quote|No one has a right to know how a fellow Cybertronian was created. There's a thin line between categorization and segregation, and I never want to see it crossed again.|[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]|"[[Twenty Plus One]]". No one tell him about the table below.}}
{| cellpadding="5" class="tt1_featuredCharacters"
! style="background:#004000;color:white" colspan="3"|Forged
! style="background:navy;color:white" colspan="3"|Constructed cold
|-
! style="background:#a1f088" align="center"|Pre-war
! style="background:#b7f78d" align="center"|"Warborn"
! style="background:#bcf27c" align="center"|Unknown
! style="background:#9abce2" align="center"|First wave
! style="background:#8ec1f6" align="center"|Second wave/M.T.O.
! style="background:#7dc7f1" align="center"|Unknown
|-
| style="background:#BCF7AA" valign="top"|
{|border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent;"
|-
| valign="top"|
*[[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]]
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]
*[[Bulkhead (G1)|Bulkhead]]
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]]
*[[Mortilus|Censere]]
*[[Crosscut (Autobot)|Crosscut]]
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]]
*[[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]]
*[[Dominus Ambus]]
*[[Eucryphia]]
*[[Functionist_Council|The Functionist Council]]
*[[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]]
*[[Grimlock (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Grimlock]]
*[[Grindcore (G1)|Grindcore]]
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Hot Rod/Rodimus]]
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
*[[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]]
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
*[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]
*[[Knights of Cybertron]]
*[[Kup (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Kup]]
*[[Maximal#IDW_Generation_1_continuity|Maximals]]
*[[Minimus Ambus]]
*[[Myskrion]]
*[[Nova Prime|Nova Major/Nova Prime]]
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]
| valign="top"|
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax/Optimus Prime]]
*[[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]]
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]
*[[Pharma (G1)|Pharma]]
*[[Quark]]
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]]
*[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]]
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]]
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]
*[[Roller (IDW)|Roller]]
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]]
*[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]]
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]
*[[Septimus Prime]]
*[[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]]
*[[Sixshot]]
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]]
*[[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]]
*[[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]]
*[[Tailpipe (G1)|Tailpipe]]
*[[Tarn (DJD)|Tarn]]
*[[Thinkbox]]
*[[Thirteen#IDW|The Thirteen Primes]]
*[[Titan (IDW)|Titans]]<ref group="idw">At least thirteen of the Titans carried hot spots within their bodies for colonization purposes; by extension all known Transformers native to the colony worlds are Forged.</ref>
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]
*[[Solomus|Tyrest]]
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]
|}
| style="background:#D0FCB3" valign="top"|

*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Fortress Maximus]]
*[[Fulcrum]]
| style="background:#CEF99D" valign="top"|
*[[Animus]]
*[[Black Shadow (Victory)|Black Shadow]]
*[[Blockus]]
*[[Convoy (G1)|Convoy]]
*[[Datum]]
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]
*[[Heretech]]
*[[Misfire (G1)|Flyhigh/Misfire]]
*[[Ramp]]
*[[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]]
*[[Suture (G1)|Suture]]
*[[Sweep (IDW)|Sweep]]
| style="background:#B8D1ED" valign="top"|
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]]
*[[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]]
*[[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]]
*[[Kaon (DJD)|Kaon]]
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]<ref group="idw">Megatron is a hybrid Transformer, consisting of a forged spark in a cold constructed body.</ref>
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]
*[[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]]
*[[Ravage (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ravage]]
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
*[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]]
*[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]]
*[[Chromedome (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Tumbler/Chromedome]]
| style="background:#b4d8fc" valign="top"|
*[[Ambulon]]
*[[Ammo]]
*[[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]]
*[[Dipstick]]
*[[Brainstorm (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Genitus/Brainstorm]]
*[[Getaway]]
*[[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]]
*[[Scattergun]]
| style="background:#9ed7f8" valign="top"|
*[[Agonizer]]
*[[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]]
*[[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]]
*[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]]
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]]
*[[Krok (G1)|Krok]]
*[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]]
|}

<references group="idw"/>

{{-}}

==Resurrection==
[[File:Pmoptimusprimedeath.jpg|left|thumb|Don't worry kids, he gets better. Again.]]
Though not quite the same as reproduction, a copy of the mind or essence of a previously living Transformer may be introduced into a new body and, through some vague process, return that Transformer to life. This occurs when [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] creates the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] in the Generation 1 cartoon, and in the comic when Prime uses copies of the minds of existing Cybertronians to create the second-series Autobot cars on [[Earth]]. Another example from the comic occurs when Optimus Prime himself is returned to life merely by inputting a human's [[floppy disk]] copy of his mind into a new body.

A variation on this theme is [[Unicron]]'s ability to create new robotic life. In the cartoon continuity, Unicron rebuilds [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] into [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]], though it is unclear if these are the same being. Less ambiguous is the creation of [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]], and the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] from the apparently dead remains of [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]], and the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]. Some fans have speculated that the creation of the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] by super-genius [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] was aided in some fashion by Unicron's presence.

In [[Marvel Comics continuity]], Unicron exhibits a similar ability, fashioning three servants named [[Hook, Line, and Sinker]] from the remains of non-Cybertronian robots attempting to flee him.

In Beast Wars, if one can locate a deceased's spark within the matrix, with the right equipment they can implant that spark in a blank protoform. Rhinox used such a device to guide his core consciousness through the Matrix, reviving Optimus Primal.

In his ending to the ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)|Beast Wars Transmetals]]'' video game, [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] uses "a prototype cloning device, based on transreplication technology" to clone the deactivated Generation 1 Decepticons on the Ark into new protoform bodies, thus reviving them without altering the timeline (and erasing himself) by effectively doubling each robot.

This is included as a means of reproduction because it seems likely from the dialogue that the Autobot cars created via copied minds by Prime on Earth in Marvel Comics continuity still existed on Cybertron when he left, meaning that if they survived the intermediate 4 million years, two of each of these individuals now exist.

In the [[Unicron Trilogy]] comic miniseries "[[Linkage (comic)|Linkage]]", [[Redline]] and [[Falcia]] combine energy from their [[spark frame]]s in order to create a new body for the mind/soul of [[Twirl (MD)|Twirl]] to inhabit after her [[Mini-Con storage panel]] is destroyed in battle. This leads to an interesting relationship between Twirl and Falcia. (See "Familial relationships", below.)

==Budding==
[[File:G2issue5-PowerandtheGlory-BuddingSteps.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Budding doesn't look like much fun at ALL. It looks like ''Aliens versus Predator'' all over again.]]
The [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Transformers: Generation 2'' comic]] introduced the concept of asexual "budding". Bubbles and lesions of apparently liquid metal form on a robot's chest, accompanied by energy discharge. The process grows more intense, until a large mass of liquid metal bursts free from the chest and slowly forms into a [[protoform]]-like blank figure, and then solidifies into a full Transformer. Illustrations suggest that this is something of a communal event, with others surrounding the budding robot in a circle.

[[File:TNA.gif|left|upright=0.85|thumb|With the right early screening, even pegwarming might some day be preventable.]]
It was revealed that (in the Marvel continuity at least) early Transformers reproduced this way until they reached the population level Primus desired. At this turning point, the practice stopped and all memory of it was erased. When the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronians]] (possibly under influence of the [[Liege Maximo]]) rediscovered and revived the process sometime during the 4 million years after the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s loss, the successive generations of robots produced were increasingly less sentient and emotional (as Primus's lifeforce was apparently spread thinner and thinner between them), and the lifeform called the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]] was created as a byproduct.

It is established here that Transformers do have genetic material (the Transformer equivalent of DNA) within their cellular structures. (Yes, they also apparently have cellular structures—who knew?) This genetic material is passed down from "parent" to "child" through budding. Its make-up is seen in the picture at left. (Apparently, its design is not taught in the Transformer equivalent of high school biology, as Megatron does not recognize what he's looking at until Perceptor explains.) This genetic material and basic Transformer cellular structure is also passed to the Swarm. Later, in the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]], Transformer genetic material is given the designation [[CNA]], and it is what is altered by the malevolent Jhiaxus during [[Arcee (G1)/IDW_Generation_1_continuity|Arcee]]'s gender change.

The other notable fact is that Transformers who have undergone the budding process retain some sort of primal link to their offspring, thus even though they are galaxies apart, the Generation 1 Decepticon [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] doubles over in pain when his descendant [[Mindset (G2)|Mindset]] is destroyed, and the Liege Maximo says he would know if his descendant, Megatron, were to die.

{{--}}

==Sexual reproduction==
[[File:Tfreprod marvel28.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|"Film the birth?" "No, got some great footage of the conception, though!"]]
Despite most continuities having male and female genders (gender being a mental and social classification, as opposed to "sexes", a physical distinction) and a definite, strong history of [[transformer romance]] existing between these genders, there is little canonical evidence for Transformers reproducing sexually. (Though admittedly, there isn't a lot of direct evidence for [[human]]s reproducing sexually in most Transformers media, which is, after all, aimed towards kids.)

In the Generation 1 cartoon, the male Transformer - [[female Transformer]] romance could perhaps be explained as an artifact of [[Quintesson]] mental programming very closely echoing the organic life forms the Transformers were built to serve.

On only two occasions in Generation 1 do we get a hint of male and female Transformer romance leading to the formation of family units and the creation of offspring. The first is subtle: [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]'s backstory in some versions mentions his crashing on Quintessa with his parents. The second is more explicit: At the end of the Japanese [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (manga)|''Victory'' manga]], we find out that [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]] and his forces have been fighting all this time for the sake of their/the families living on top of the [[Planet-Destroying Fortress]], among which are [[Dinoforce]]'s [[Baby Dinoforce|children]]. Awww.

Apart from this, the best case for sexual reproduction in the species could probably be made from ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', where [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] makes numerous off-color remarks throughout the series, especially directed at [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]] and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]. These comments strongly hint at something sex-like among Transformers, though it could, of course, be merely recreational rather than reproductive.

It is unknown what effect the ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' [[reformatting]] of Transformers into [[technorganic]] beings, which are equal parts organic life and mechanical structure down to a cellular level, has on their reproductive options. It is conceivable but underexplored whether this new form of Transformer life could reproduce sexually. According to [[Andromeda (TransTech)|Andromeda]]'s interview with [[Kitte Shūshū]], she and [[Z Grill]] made the Maximal [[Stampy (BWN)|Stampy]] with their organic parts. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter}}

During a dream-like vision, Blackarachnia and Silverbolt meet in an ethereal state, and the two appear to "merge" their sparks, which may be as close to sexual intercourse as Transformers get, perhaps a more spiritual act than physical.

[[File:Sariprime.jpg|120px|thumb|At that moment, Optimus realizes that there are some questions best left unanswered.]]
The [[Live-action film series]] once again brings up questions about the possibility of a less-than-mechanical form of reproduction. The first and most obvious of these implications comes from [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]]'s less-than-tactful observation of "the [[Sam Witwicky|boy]] want[ing] to mate with the [[Mikaela Banes|female]]." Although his grasp of the concept could stem merely from a familiarity with organic species in general, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s mention of [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] killing their father, in some related material, does suggest Transformers have some understanding of family units. In [[Revenge of the Fallen issue 4|the fourth issue of ''Revenge of the Fallen'']], [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] refers to Sam's parents as his "protoform batch initiators." Make that of what you will. In the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|movie proper]], Jetfire mentions a mother and father, the latter of whom was the first wheel (who didn't transform), while in ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', [[Hound (Movie)|Hound]] alludes to having a bad relationship with his father. While some of these are self-deprecating jokes, it reinforces that Cybertronians are at least aware of the concept.

In the ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' continuity, it seems clear that Transformers do not reproduce sexually. [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] appears stunned when [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari]] tells him where human babies come from, and later brings up the inconsistency when Sari's own origins are revealed.
[[File:OperationBumblebee1 Bumblebee's new ride.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.95|"I swear, this isn't what it looks like!"]]

In IDW continuity, female Transformers were first introduced to the series through [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s experiments. By altering fundamental [[CNA]], Jhiaxus gave "male" Cybertronians "female" characteristics. Although earlier issues suggested that he was doing this out of malevolent curiosity, later stories would explain that female Transformers had once existed on Cybertron and that Jhiaxus was attempting to restore this lost element of Cybertronian society. The depth of his changes are unknown; is it limited to appearance and mentality or does it go deeper? If he was truly trying to see how the reintroduction of females would affect the evolution of the species it is possible Arcee was created with the capability for some analog of sexual reproduction in mind, but given his abandonment of the experiment and Arcee's resultant unbalanced mental state it seems unlikely the depth of the change will be explored. Later [[The Transformers: Windblade|comics]] would establish that female Transformers had always existed but went extinct on Cybertron during the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]]. These stories also introduce various Transformer colony worlds, whose inhabitants had retained differentiated genders, as an alternative source of female Transformers. Both male and female Transformers reproduce asexually through the methods detailed above; although [[Conjunx Endura|romantic relationships]] exist in this continuity, they are not limited to male-female pairings and there is no evidence that couples engage in anything related to procreation.<ref>This hasn't stopped fan fiction writers from speculating, though.</ref> Following the end of the Great War, the techo-geneticist [[Scorponok (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Scorponok]] claimed that mechanical lifeforms were incapable of procreation without external sources. To that end, he created the [[spark]] powered organic he called the "[[Firstborn]]" to rebuild the Decepticons via sexual reproduction.

In the [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers: Prime'' episode]] "[[Darkness Rising, Part 1]]", [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] joked with [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]], asking him if he had heard that humans multiplied. Ratchet was expecting her and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] to bring back two humans. When they brought back three, Arcee jokingly implied that the teenagers had reproduced since then.

In ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', [[Brains]] revealed to Optimus Prime that Megatron had used his "chromosomes" to infect [[Kinetic Solutions Incorporated|KSI]]'s [[Megatron (Movie)|Galvatron]] prototype, granting the mindless robot independent thought and allowing Megatron's mind to take over Galvatron's body. It's debatable whether or not Brains was translating Cybertronian terms for the benefit of the human audience present; if taken literally, it opens up a whole host of weird questions regarding the relationship between Megatron and Galvatron.
{{-}}

==Familial relationships==
[[File:PrimeDirective4 Cover SunstreakerSideswipe.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|The Doublemint Twins they're not.]]
One confusing aspect of this apparent lack of sexual reproduction is the canonical use of genealogical terminology to describe certain relationships. The most common of these is when two Transformers regard each other as siblings: "brothers" (e.g. Generation 1's [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] or ''Robots in Disguise'''s [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]]) or "sisters" ([[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]] and [[Shadow Striker (Universe)|Shadow Striker]]).

Again, the Dreamwave ''More than Meets the Eye'' guide provides a partial possible answer. According to the guide, when a spark naturally splits as it's being introduced to a protoform, it creates two robots who are "brothers", such as Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. When such a spark division is artificially induced, the pair created are referred to as "[[Cloning|clones]]". (This definition of "brother" may or may not apply to RID Prime and Magnus, whose brotherhood was said to result from the special circumstance of having been created simultaneously by Alpha Trion).

However, the "[[Beast Era]]" widened the issue of reproduction with Rattrap referring to his "great-aunt" [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and in general the practice of Maximals and Predacons referring to the Autobots and Decepticons as their respective "ancestors", as well as themselves as being their "descendants", implying a direct genetic (for want of a better term) lineage. Various sources of debatable canonicity suggest that [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] is specifically descended from [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], usually through the phrase "[his] ancestor Optimus Prime".

In the absence of sexual reproduction, the use and meaning of these genealogical references is difficult to explain. One possible explanation might be a situation such as when [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] is brought to life in ''Beast Wars''. Her [[spark]] and [[protoform]] are heavily damaged, and [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] allows some of his parts to be used as replacements while [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] guides the procedure. To compare to humans, this is something like assisting with childbirth and donating blood or organs. It is unlikely that this happened enough to cause "descendants" as they are described, however. The term may also be used in an ideological sense or even a technological sense, much as the CD or MP3 player is, in a way, a "descendant" of the gramophone.

[[File:Linkage7 Twirl-Baby.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|So, think Social Services handle cases like these often?]]
Other family designations exist as well. [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] has "parents" that were lost in his crash on [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], according to some background material. The aforementioned Mini-Con Twirl very specifically calls Falcia her "mother" (which Falcia ''hates'') and seems to treat Redline like a father, since the two's spark frame energies went into constructing her physical form. In the ''Armada'' cartoon, [[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]] refers to [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] as his brother after Hot Shot saves his life, suggesting at least an understanding of the concept; on the other hand, the ''Armada'' cartoon is originally Japanese, and in Japan, "brother" and "sister" can be used as terms of affection or respect to an unrelated person. The [[Unicron Trilogy]] universe has also used the term "cousin" for certain Transformers on occasion. The Japanese Generation 1 ''Victory'' manga features Decepticon wives and children. Even the live-action movie features an Optimus and Megatron who are brothers, and it is mentioned in the related [[Nintendo DS]] game that Megatron "took the spark" of their father.

'''''See also:''' [[Relatives]]''
{{-}}

==Toys==
[[File:Classics cosmos concept.gif|upright=1.4|thumb|Echography of a sadly aborted Transformer.... Yes, those things happen.]]
In the real-life continuity, when two toy manufacturing companies love each other very much, [[Hasbro|one of them]] may start shooting Transformer design propositions to the [[TakaraTomy|other one]]. There, during several months of gestation, engineers will work on those designs, which will be developed into functional and manufacturable Transformers. Once the Transformer is ready to be produced, its design will be sent to marketing and ultimately to the chain manufacturer for the delivery. Voilà! A new Transformer is born!
{{-}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Transformer culture]]

Thirteen

2018-10-10T21:04:26Z

BumbleBeeCee: /* Power of the Primes marketing material */

{{disambig3|Thirteen}}
[[File:Original13.jpg|center|upright=2.8|thumb|Guess the one on fire!]]

{{quote|We are the 13, the first, the forgotten, each of us serving a function vital to the survival of the universe. Each of us designated a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and given a function to serve during the long march of infinity.|[[Vector Prime]]|"[[Vector Prime: In the Beginning]]"}}

The '''Thirteen''' are the first [[Transformer]]s created by [[Primus]]. Rightfully huge and powerful, each was designated a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]],<ref>A Hasbro Q&A response would later try to alter this. See Notes above.</ref> and given unique roles and natures to battle Primus's ancient foe [[Unicron]].

==Conceptual history==
[[File:BW Covenant.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Covenant (group)|Covenant]] shares a very similar base concept with the Thirteen, and may have been the original inspiration for them.]]
The concept of the Thirteen has only been around for about a third of the Transformers brand's thirty-year history, and the slow drip-feeding of information that characterized the early stages of their story was not been presented in a very linear manner. The development of the concept is described in this section to minimize confusion; for details of their history and actions in specific bits of fiction, see below.

The very earliest seeds of the Thirteen can probably be found in material produced by [[3H Productions]] for [[BotCon]], most notably 1999's "[[Covenant (story)|Covenant]]". This story introduces the undeniably similar concept of the [[Covenant (group)|Covenant]], a group of twelve zodiac-themed robots who are the first creations of [[Primus]], created as a test-run for the Transformer race. Despite the basic similarity between the Covenant and the Thirteen, though, the two groups were not connected until 2015, and those same stories by 3H would ultimately contradict the later lore of the Thirteen by introducing [[Primon]], a Matrix-bearer who preceded [[Prima]], which should not be possible. (That 2015 connection was an October entry for "[[Ask Vector Prime]]", which flagged up that nobody in-universe knew if the Covenant had a link to the Thirteen and that they may just be stories the Thirteen tell themselves.)

[[File:Vectorprimeut.jpg|thumb|[[Fun Publications]] established [[Vector Prime]] to be a member of the Thirteen in 2005.]]

It was in the pages of 2004's ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' that the mysterious "Thirteen Original Transformers" were first spoken of, and their basic origin was laid down: they were the first Transformers created by Primus to battle Unicron, and their number included Prima, the first [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-bearer from the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel Comics series]] and [[The Fallen]], an enigmatic servant of Unicron from [[Dreamwave Productions]]' 2003 comic, ''[[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|War Within: The Dark Ages]]''. The book also noted that if ''[[Alignment]]'' had been published, the [[Liege Maximo]], an ancient evil [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] from the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comics]], would have been counted among them as well (retroactively, of course, since ''Alignment'' predated the idea of the Thirteen). The book also contained a passing mention that the enigmatic [[Maccadam|manager]] of [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]], a Cybertronian pub introduced in the UK Generation 1 Marvel Comics, was rumored to be one of the Thirteen (though it also admits that this could be a fabrication by the pub's drunken patrons). Not surprisingly, it was the creator of all four of these characters, [[Simon Furman]], who both wrote the guide and conceived the idea of the Thirteen.<ref>Simon Furman panel, BotCon 2012</ref> While it was Furman who also created the Covenant, it is not yet known whether or not he was deliberately drawing upon his old idea when he introduced the Thirteen in this book.

The concept of the Thirteen quietly bubbled under for the next year, until another element was added with the introduction of [[Vector Prime]] in 2005's ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' series. Although presented merely as a very ancient [[Autobot]] in the original Japanese version of the ''Cybertron'' cartoon, Hasbro envisioned him as one of the Thirteen, and writer [[Forest Lee]] made this explicit in [[Vector Prime: In the Beginning|the first story]] produced for the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]]. This story also introduced the idea that all of the Thirteen were [[Prime (rank)|Primes]], and that each had a specific function or purpose; Vector Prime's was stewardship of time, while a 2007 [[bio]] written for The Fallen's ''[[Titanium Series]]'' toy would later reveal he was the overseer of entropy. Between these two releases, in 2006, the short Japanese text story ''[[Beast Wars Reborn]]'' introduced [[Logos Prime]]; as a Japanese creation, his status among the Thirteen would be in question for years.

[[File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|left|thumb|Fun Publications also introduced the first [[combiner]], [[Nexus Prime]].]]

While it was not immediately apparent, Hasbro had put a plan in motion for the Thirteen with the Collectors' Club comic: across the next five years, five separate robots were introduced who were gradually revealed to be components of a combiner, Nexus Prime, who was one of the Thirteen. During this five-year span, the subject of the Thirteen often came up at BotCon Q&A sessions, during which the idea of them being [[multiversal singularity|multiversal singularities]] solidified—a concept which purported that across all the different [[universal stream]]s, only one incarnation of each of the Thirteen existed, moving between worlds. This idea would later be canonized with the pages of Fun Publications' comics.

Also during this time, current Transformers comic license holders [[IDW Publishing]] spoke often of a potential comic book mini-series about the Thirteen to be written by Simon Furman, but this was eventually nixed, with Furman noting in 2009 that this was because it had "become more of a [[Hasbro]] thing than an IDW thing."<ref>[http://hombreimaginario.deviantart.com/art/Interviews-10-Simon-Furman-130246343 Furman talks about the Thirteen in an interview on DeviantArt]</ref> Hasbro's desire to control and fully conceptualize the story of the Thirteen was further made evident when, after [[Fun Publications]]' Nexus Prime story concluded in the same year, they effectively took "custody" of the character as part of their future plans. This control, however, was evidently not all-encompassing: also in 2009, The Fallen made a surprising appearance as the titular villain of the second-live action Transformers film, ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', where he was a member not of a group of thirteen, but only ''seven'' Primes. Hasbro's [[Hasbro Q&A/October 2009#AllSpark.com|October 2009 online Q&A]] retroactively justified this by explaining that while all the Thirteen were Primes, only seven actually had the word "Prime" ''in their names''.

[[File:TransformersVault-Prima.jpg|thumb|The new design for [[Prima]] was revealed at [[BotCon 2010]].]]

Eventually, in 2010, the grand scope of the new [[Aligned continuity family]] became the "delivery method" for Hasbro's long-percolating tale of the Thirteen. However, the "Aligned" continuity was also established to ''not'' be part of the multiverse in which all preceding Transformers fiction took place, which until then had lain the groundwork for the Thirteen. As such, the new information introduced by the Aligned continuity was only true for ''that'' continuity, and even chose to ignore or overrule some previous pieces of the story that had been revealed in "Multiverse" stories—The Fallen was given a much more tragic origin story that involved no connection to Unicron, Logos Prime was not included in the ranks of the "Aligned Thirteen", and [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] was named as a member of the Aligned group. From 2010 to 2013, various pieces of Aligned media—including the novels ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Exiles]]'', the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' cartoon, and the prose work ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus]]''—detailed in full the complete roster and history of the Thirteen in the Aligned Continuity, including many brand-new characters and events, which can all be read about further down this article.

In 2014, things got a little complicated when [[The Crucible|''Robots in Disguise'' #34]] introduced the Thirteen into IDW Publishing's Generation 1 continuity...except that the Thirteen involved in the story were not the "Multiverse Thirteen", but a version of the "Aligned Thirteen", with a backstory that did not match ''either'' incarnation. Over the course of the next year, the Q&A feature [[Ask Vector Prime]] worked to explain this, revealing that non-singularity versions of the Thirteen also exist within the multiverse, and that the "Aligned Thirteen" were one such example. The feature also revealed the remaining members of the "Multiverse Thirteen", which included a mixture of the new characters from the Aligned version of the group, and other characters drawn from Transformers history (including the [[Guiding Hand]], an entirely ''different'' group of forerunners to the Transformers introduced in IDW's comics). The completion of the roster was done as a "last hurrah" for the singularity version of the Thirteen—in 2015, the Collectors' Club comic storyline ''[[Another Light]]'' saw the Thirteen's existence as multiversal singularities nullified. Freed from the complex bounds of this concept, the story of the Thirteen is now free to be told any way, in any continuity, with membership freely able to differ across universes.
{{--}}

==Members==
Because of their complicated fictional natures, conceptual histories, and status as multiversal "archetypes", TFWiki.Net opts to break our standard rules a little and give most members of the group a single article that covers all different versions of that character, as opposed to separate articles (G1, Unicron Trilogy, Movie, etc...) for each incarnation.

===Covenant Thirteen===
[[File:OneShallRise1-WellofAllSparks.jpg|thumb|325px|"No, Harry, no! Don't look at the light!"]]
The first full lineup of the Thirteen was originally formalized for the [[Aligned continuity family]], and properly revealed in ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus]]''. The "Aligned Thirteen" were initially considered to be separate from the "Multiverse Thirteen", something backed up in fiction which described their [[universal stream|universal cluster]] as being previously separate from the multiverse, but the core list has since been widely used even in non-Aligned materials such as the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity]].

*'''[[Prima]]'''—The leader of the Thirteen, a warrior of light and the first [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix-bearer]] who wielded the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]].
*'''[[Vector Prime]]'''—The master of time and space, which he could manipulate through his [[Blades of Time]].
*'''[[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]]'''—Holder of the [[Quill]], which he uses to record the past, present, and future of Cybertron in the [[Covenant of Primus]] as part of his role as recordskeeper of the Primes.
*'''[[Solus Prime]]'''—The master artificer and creator of many of the Primes' weapons through use of her incredible [[Forge of Solus Prime|Forge]]. She was the first [[female Transformer|female Cybertronian]].
*'''[[Micronus Prime]]'''—The conscience of the Thirteen, and the first [[Mini-Con]], able to [[Powerlinx|link up with and enhance the power]] of his siblings through the use of his [[Chimera Stone]]; responsible for creating the alternate dimension of [[Microspace]].
*'''[[Alchemist Prime]]'''—Student of the elemental structure of the natural world, aided in this by his [[Lenses]], which allowed him to see further and deeper than anyone, in both material and spiritual senses; fond of the occasional tipple, with some claiming that he still walks Cybertron in the form of [[Maccadam|a humble bartender]].
*'''[[Nexus Prime]]'''—The first and greatest [[combiner]], granted the ability to divide himself into separate forms by his [[Enigma of Combination]]. Unpredictable, fascinated by change, and a lighthearted prankster.
*'''[[Onyx Prime]]'''—The first beast-form Cybertronian, a primitive and spiritual being able to view other times, places, souls, and even the afterlife through his three-faced [[Triptych Mask]].
*'''[[Amalgamous Prime]]'''—The joker of the Thirteen and the first [[Shifter]], unpredictable and easygoing. He was first Cybertronian with the ability of [[transformation]], granted him by his [[Transformation cog]], which became the basis for the cogs in all subsequent Transformer life.
*'''[[Quintus Prime]]'''—A daydreamer and perfectionist whose drive to express his ideas led him to become a scientist. His artifact was the [[Emberstone]], which gave him the ability to create life; the [[Quintesson]]s were among his creations.
*'''[[Liege Maximo]]'''—The "Prime of Lies", a black-hearted and amoral manipulator. Though his artifact was notionally the toxin-loaded [[Liegian Darts]], his real skill was his ability to talk others into his way of thinking.
*'''[[The Fallen]]'''—Once known as '''Megatronus''', guardian of entropy and wielder of the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]], the Fallen's name was stricken from history when the dark warrior turned on his siblings.
*'''[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'''—In the Aligned continuity family, the Thirteenth Prime was Optimus, mediator of the Primes, who united the Thirteen by being the first among them to raise an arm in greeting. He would subsequently be reincarnated as '''Orion Pax'''. In the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity]], the name of the mysterious thirteenth member of the group was not recorded in history, being only known as "'''the Arisen'''"; the [[Mistress of Flame]] believes he is [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]].

===Multiversal Thirteen===
[[File:AnotherLight-Thirteen.jpg|thumb|325px|Who are we? You'll never know!]]
Though the "multiversal Thirteen"—considered separate to the "Aligned Thirteen"—had almost half of their members revealed before any non-multiversal incarnation was ever mentioned, the remainder of their membership was unknown until a [[Ask Vector Prime/Facebook src#ThirteenList|June 2015 Facebook post]] from "[[Ask Vector Prime]]" listed off twelve of Vector Prime's siblings. The members known before then were:
*'''[[Prima]]'''—The first [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix-bearer]] and first Transformer born from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the leader of the Thirteen.<ref>''Sentinel Prime was one of a dynasty of Primes, stretching back to the original '''13 Transformers''' and their leader, Prima.'' — ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' (2005) 1st ed p15, "Sentinel Prime"</ref> He wielded the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], a mighty blade capable of unparalleled destruction.
*'''[[Liege Maximo]]'''—A legendary schemer.<ref name="askvectorprime">[[Ask Vector Prime]] on Facebook</ref>
*'''[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]'''—Formerly the guardian of entropy, whose name was stricken from history when he betrayed his brothers and became a [[Herald of Unicron]] under the new name "'''The Fallen'''".<ref>''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]''</ref>
*'''[[Vector Prime]]'''—The guardian of space and time, who spent most of his life outside of reality, observing it and occasionally stepping in to help.
*'''[[Nexus Prime]]'''—The first combiner and the guardian of [[Rarified Energon]].
*'''[[Logos Prime]]'''—An enigmatic figure who, operating in the present day under the new name Soundblaster, sought to pass on his incredible powers over time and space to an heir.

To these Vector Prime added four of the ones invented by the Covenant:

*'''[[Alchemist Prime]]'''—Rumored to have established [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|a bar]] on modern Cybertron, seeking to provide a respite from endless war. <ref>In [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|''The Ultimate Guide'']], the enigmatic [[Maccadam]] was rumored to be a member of the Thirteen by drunken patrons of his bar. Vector Prime would later half-jokingly imply that Alchemist Prime amd Maccadam were the same individual, as described above. There's nothing that explicitly ''says'' they're the same, but... you know.</ref> <ref name="askvectorprime"/>
*'''[[Solus Prime]]'''—A renowned smith who wielded a powerful [[Forge of Solus Prime|Forge]].<ref name="askvectorprime"/>
*'''[[Micronus Prime]]'''—The progenitor of the [[Mini-Con]]s.<ref>[[Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist]]</ref>
*'''[[Onyx Prime]]'''—In-tune with nature and the organic.<ref name="askvectorprime"/>

And three other powerful figures from "Transformers" lore:

*'''[[Last Autobot|Autonomous Maximus]]'''—A lonely sentinel who renounced his name, becoming simply known as the Last Autobot.
*'''[[Solomus]]'''—A gentle and kind individual, who is instead in some universes a member of the [[Guiding Hand]].
*'''[[Epistemus]]'''—A Cybertronian of unconventional intellect, also sometimes of the Guiding Hand.

===Other members===
Particularly following the Shroud, certain realities include entirely different lineups of the Thirteen, which have included:
*'''[[Adaptus]]'''—Blessed with powers of change, ''also'' sometimes of the Guiding Hand; may or may not in some universes be the same individual as Amalgamous Prime.
*'''[[Mortilus]]'''—A solitary member of the Thirteen who stayed apart from the others, who was in some universes a member of the Guiding Hand.
*'''[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'''—A Prime known for his wisdom.<ref>''[[Transformers: Titans Return (cartoon)|Transformers: Titans Return]]'' episode 4, "[[Overlord and Emissary]]"</ref>

==Fiction==
===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Thefallen.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|No, seriously guys, is it just me, or is it hot in here?]]

[[The Fallen]] was thwarted in his attempt to sabotage [[Primus]]'s [[Cybertron (planet)|physical form]], and the Thirteen allegedly died after casting the Fallen and his master [[Unicron]] through a [[black hole]] into another dimension. In truth, the Fallen was imprisoned in another dimension, while [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] kept watch over the Transformers in the [[Well of All Sparks]] and Primus entered his eternal sleep to hide from Unicron. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}}

After [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)#Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Megatron]] were lost in a [[space bridge]] explosion, the Fallen was free from his prison in [[Transwarp|underspace]], and returned to Cybertron. He immediately set about trying to undo the [[Seal of Primus]] that locked the Well of All Sparks. However, upon his success, the Fallen was promptly destroyed by his reawoken creator. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages}}

{{Unreleased DW G1 comic}}
In the present day, Jetfire discovered that Shockwave had broken the Seal for his cloning experiments. The Fallen's essence escaped and corrupted [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], and following his death, passed into Jetfire. This corruption caused Jetfire to be plagued by many visions, among them The Fallen beating down his brethren in an ancient battle. {{storylink|The Enemy Within}}

'''Known members:'''
*[[Prima]]
*[[The Fallen]]
*[[Maccadam]] (rumored)

===Fun Publications===
[[Vector Prime]] aided the [[Autobot]]s in finding the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s to close the [[Unicron Singularity]]. He regularly reported their progress to [[Alpha Trion (Energon)|Alpha Trion]], but during one visit Unicron's servants [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]] and [[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|Nemesis Prime]] attacked. {{storylink|Balancing Act}} [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]] came to Cybertron looking for clues to his past, only to be attacked by [[Scorponok (Energon)|Dark Scorponok]], {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 2}} but his forcefield protected him. Ramjet offered him clues to his past in exchange for his <s>soul</s> service. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 3}} They went to Primus's spark core to destroy him with the [[Dead Matrix]], but Vector and [[Sentinel Maximus]] fought back. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 4}} Ramjet said he would stop trying to kill Primus if Vector aided them in restoring the balance by resurrecting Unicron, but he refused. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Pt 5}} Skyfall tried to save Ramjet but his forcefield only ignited an explosion that killed Ramjet. {{storylink|Revelations Part 1}} Vector had drones repair Skyfall and found [[Omega Prime]]—the creation of one of Trion's [[Viron]] counterparts—had helped Sentinel defeated Nemesis. Omega's presence saddened Vector, as it confirmed the multiverse was falling apart, and he left for Earth. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}

Skyfall was helping Sentinel repair [[Vector Sigma]], when [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] informed him he had found a twenty-million-cycle-old carving of him and another bot. {{storylink|Revelations Part 4}} Immediately during a battle between [[Mini-Con]] Autobots and [[Decepticon]]s, Skyfall found [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]]. {{storylink|Revelations Part 5}} The two seemingly vanished when Unicron attacked, {{storylink|Revelations Part 6}} when they had been transported to [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]]'s universe, {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 1}} and the trio and went through a [[space bridge]] {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}} to find [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]] in [[Axiom Nexus]]. [[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]] and [[Silverbolt (TransTech)|Silverbolt]] introduced the trio to [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]]. However, [[Shockwave (TransTech)|Shockwave]] had Breakaway quietly subdued and taken to his laboratory. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 1}} Skyfall and Landquake realized Breakaway was gone, but Alpha Trion told them to come with him if they wanted to rescue their brother from the evil [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTechs]]. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 2}} He explained he was not from this dimension and was part of a resistance movement, introducing them to Topspin, whose job was to transfer their [[lowtech]] followers' [[spark]]s into their TransTech counterparts. Realizing Topspin was one of their kin, Skyfall and Landquake agreed to help. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 3}} [[Nightscream (TransTech)|Nightscream]] found Breakaway was being held near the portal to Alpha Trion's dimension, {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 4}} and his acolytes attacked, rescuing Breakaway {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 5}} and entering the [[transwarp]] device. Alpha Trion explained to Skyfall he was the key to the reunification, and killed him as they entered [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|his universe]]. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 6}}

[[File:Reunification5-arisenexusprime.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.95|"It's beautiful..." "Holy crap!" "It's perfect!" "This is the best thing!"]]
Despite his claim his was a peaceful world, Alpha Trion shot [[Downshift (SG)|Downshift]], and Breakaway realized Skyfall had been killed by an energy blade rather than shot from behind as the old Autobot claimed. Alpha Trion's troops arrived, took the four components and he proclaimed he would kill them all—as reunification still worked with one of them dead—and that his reign would begin. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 1}} Landquake manipulated the raw energon and used smokebombs to escape, with Topspin and Breakaway carrying Skyfall. Weeks later, after trying unsuccessfully to revive Skyfall, {{storylink|Reunification: Part 2}} the [[Quintesson]] [[Aquarius (SG)|Aquarius]] appeared to take them to [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 3}} Landquake explained their situation to the Decepticons, and Megatron asked [[Cyclonus (SG)|Cyclonus]] to bring [[Heatwave (Timelines)|Heatwave]], but then Cyclonus, revealing himself to be an agent of Alpha Trion, assassinated Megatron. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 4}} Breakaway suggested they use their powers to revive Megatron, and found themselves in a white space with Skyfall and Primus. They made their choice: [[Nexus Prime]] was reborn. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 5}} Nexus resurrected Megatron as Galvatron and defeated [[Omega Doom]]. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 6}} Using Galvatron's gift of the [[stellar spanner]], Nexus and Aquarius began dimension-hopping to find the shards of the [[Star Saber (Prima)|artifact]] he had been entrusted with, so he could complete his memories. While Nexus outlined the artifact's background to Aquarius, the faces of Vector Prime and [[The Fallen]] flashed through his mind. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 1}}

The TransTechs knew the [[Mini-Con]]s to be the children of [[Micronus Prime]] {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/09}} and early on in their history were threatened with an ultimately failed coup led by [[Jhiaxus (TransTech)|Jhiaxus]], a follower of the [[Liege Maximo]]. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/06}}

When the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]]s detected significant multiversal chaos resulting from negative polarity Primax Autobots [[Invasion (issue)|crossing over into a mirror universe]], they suspected that [[Rarified Energon]] was somehow involved. [[Rhinox (TransTech)|Rhinox]] was also aware of (correct) rumors that the Thirteen were involved with Rarified Energon. {{storylink|Invasion Prologue}} As part of their response to the multiversal chaos, the TransTechs deployed [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]] to prehistoric Shatteredverse Earth in order to keep the [[Origin Matrix]] out of evil hands. {{storylink|Invasion: Epilogue}}

After several unspecified adventures, Aquarius ended up in Axiom Nexus and took charge of a shard of the Star Saber from [[Chifumi Takahashi|a courier]]. In exchange, he promised to help her get home. {{storylink|Transformers I.Q.#issue 48|Transformers I.Q. last issue review}} To their surprise, however, they ended up on Shatteredverse Cybertron. It soon became obvious that Nexus had transported them there in order to receive the [[Origin Matrix]], the fifth and final piece, from [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], recently retrieved from prehistoric Shatteredverse Earth. {{storylink|Transformers I.Q.#issue 54|Transformers I.Q. trivia bonus #12}} {{storylink|Falling into Place}}

When he reunited the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] and the [[Terminus Blade]], Nexus Prime decided that he was going to return things to "how they used to be", {{storylink|Restoration}} and strengthened the walls between the various realities of the multiverse, which had the consequence of ending the existence of he and siblings as multiversal singularities. {{storylink|Out of the One, Many}}

'''Known members:'''
:''See "[[#Multiversal Thirteen|Multiversal Thirteen]]" above''

===''Beast Wars Reborn''===
[[File:Bwreborn text.jpg|thumb]]
The '''Ancients''' (エンシェント ''Enshento'') were the original clan of Transformers created by Primus before he became [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and possessed extraordinary powers over space and time. One of them, [[Logos Prime]], lost sight of his objective and memory of him faded away. {{Storylink|Planetfall (BWR)|Planetfall}} He would return under the name of Soundblaster, abducting [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] so he could apparently appoint Megatron as his successor. [[Vector Prime]] was sent by Primus to stop the plot and was taken aback when confronted with his fellow Ancient who he thought lost. {{Storylink|Master of the Game}} While Vector Prime and what remained of Logos Prime fought on the astral plane, Soundblaster revealed the [[Zeonomicon]], the key to his power, and had Optimus and Megatron hunt it down on [[Animatron]] to decide who would inherit his power. {{storylink|Planetfall (BWR)|Planetfall}}

'''Known members:'''
*[[Vector Prime]]
*[[Logos Prime]]

===Live-action film series===
{{main|Dynasty of Primes}}

[[File:ROTF-sixprimes.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|The Primes in the Matrix/Allspark/surreal part of Primus's imagination.]]
The Primes were the guardians of the [[AllSpark]], charged with replenishing it. They commanded [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seekers]] and [[Constructicon (ROTF)|workers]] to find stars and replenish the AllSpark with their energy. The Fallen began seeing himself as the AllSpark's chosen one and began destroying solar systems with sentient life to replenish the Cube. His brothers warned him not to do it again, so The Fallen tried it again on [[Earth]] to lure them. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 3|Tales of the Fallen #3}} The Fallen slaughtered all his brothers bar Prima himself, who gathered his brothers' lifeforce to trap The Fallen in his [[sarcophagus]]. Prima sacrificed himself to form a [[Tomb of the Primes|tomb]] with his brothers' bodies to hide the Matrix. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 4|Tales of the Fallen #4}}

A long time passed, and The Fallen was eventually dug up. From his prison, he pushed [[Megatron (Movie)|High Protector Megatron]] into forming the Decepticons. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}} Thousands of years later, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], the sole surviving descendant of the Primes to survive The Fallen's rampage, {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen issue 3|Revenge of the Fallen #3}} had been killed. The Primes appeared to [[Sam Witwicky]], giving him the Matrix to revive Optimus, and Optimus avenged The Fallen's brothers by killing him. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

'''Known members:'''
*[[Prima]]
*[[The Fallen]]

{{note|The ''Revenge of the Fallen'' adaptations have thirteen Primes. While designs were made for twelve non-Fallen Prime heads, the finished film shows only seven Primes, and this change was followed in ''[[Transformers: Tales of the Fallen|Tales of the Fallen]]'' and [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|the Titan magazine]].}}

===Aligned continuity family===
[[File:OneShallRise1-TheThirteen.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|They're not a fan of direct lighting.]]

Seeing the endless stalemate between he and [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]], [[Primus]] created the Thirteen, warriors in the mould of himself and Unicron, to fight in his stead and introduce random variables. The Thirteen did indeed succeed in defeating Unicron but were infected with a touch of the Chaos-Bringer's darkness as a result of direct proximity to the Dark God.

Following Unicron's exile, the Primes began reshaping their world before the manipulations of [[Liege Maximo]] caused the group to descend into civil war. The skirmish claimed both Maximo and [[Solus Prime]]. [[Onyx Prime|Onyx]], [[Micronus Prime|Micronus]] and [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] chose to descend into the [[Core]] and join Primus so they could aid in the creation of the Cybertronian race with [[Prima]], [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Alchemist Prime]] remaining on Cybertron to act as stewards for the newborn species while [[Nexus Prime]] separated himself into separate individuals to live among the ordinary Cybertronians. [[Quintus Prime|Quintus]], [[Amalgamous Prime|Amalgamous]], [[Vector Prime]] and [[The Fallen]] left Cybertron outright.

Following the [[Great Cataclysm]], Prima and Alchemist Prime disappeared with Alpha Trion choosing to fall into obscurity. As a result, the Thirteen became little more than a myth in the new era. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|Covenant of Primus}}

What lore regarding the Primes survived into the pre-War era is that their war made "enemies of brothers, murderers of lovers, heroes of the insignificant, and cowards of the mighty". Allegiances formed and broke apart: Megatronus refused to bow before his brothers, and he believed he would be vindicated someday despite his destructive methods. The murder of one sent them across the stars, to battle among themselves for billions of cycles. Finally, there came a time when Prima had to relinquish the Matrix. Afterwards, the [[Covenant of Primus]] decreed Cybertron could only have one Prime at a time. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} The chamber of the [[Autobot High Council|High Council of Cybertron]] had statues depicting the Primes. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

[[File:OneShallRise1-Thirteenattack.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Three seconds of one episode made up for a lifetime of lack of Thirteen images.]]
[[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] remained on Cybertron, recording these events into the Covenant, and the Primes became myths doubted by [[Jazz (WFC)|some]]. Alpha Trion retreated into becoming the Archivist of the [[Hall of Records]] when [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]], the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]], and the [[Guilds of Cybertron]] ignored his protests about the [[caste system]]. The [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] did not bestow itself onto another until the unworthy Sentinel died, and [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] was imbued with it, while his nemesis had become known as [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], who like his namesake had come to destroy that he believed in. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

During his travels across the galaxy, Optimus Prime encountered both [[Vector Prime|Vector]] and [[Nexus Prime]] both of whom expressed surprise that Alpha Trion still lived and wondered if any of their other brothers might still be alive. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

When Unicron stirred, Optimus Prime explained the history of the Thirteen to his human allies. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}}

Before Optimus Prime was to die, {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}} the Primes intercepted his [[spark]] and brought him to their [[Realm of the Primes|realm]]. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}}

After his death, Optimus was able to appear to Bumblebee when the Primes deemed the young bot's need was most dire. {{storylink|W.W.O.D.?}} As part of Optimus's training, Micronus challenged him to a test which resulted in him unlocking the capabilities of the [[Prime Decepticon Hunter]]. {{storylink|Out of Focus}} Though Optimus did not fully complete his training, he had six of the Primes in the [[Realm of the Primes]] send him to Earth to deal with the return of Megatronus, {{storylink|Battlegrounds, Part 1}} which he successfully accomplished with the aid of the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]]. {{storylink|Battlegrounds, Part 2}}

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Prima]]
*[[Vector Prime]]
*[[Alpha Trion]]
*[[Solus Prime]]
*[[Micronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime]]
*[[Onyx Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo]]
*[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]
}}
:''See "[[#Covenant Thirteen|Covenant Thirteen]]" above''
{{--}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:Heavy-TheThirteen.jpg|thumb|375px|"I think the Thirteen were blurry, that's the problem. It's not the artist's fault. The Primes were blurry, and that's extra scary to me. There were thirteen large, out-of-focus Transformers roaming Cybertron."]]
After the departure of the mythical [[Knights of Cybertron]], Cybertronian civilization, deprived of their benevolent guidance, descended once more into a primitive state of barbarism, with lesser tribal leaders carving out kingdoms and territories of their own. It was to this landscape that the [[Decepticon]] [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] was cast back in time by the destruction of his [[chronal drive]], and — after an encounter with a kindly shepherd named [[Onyx Prime|Onyx]] — realised from his extensive historical foreknowledge that he could study why Cybertronians inevitably fell to war by ensuring that history followed the path he knew that it must. As such, Shockwave murdered Onyx and took his identity as "Onyx Prime" in order to engineer the rise of the Thirteen Primes; his first act was to christen the most fearless member of Onyx's flock as "[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]", taking him on as a student.

Knowing that Megatronus's conquests would be the impetus for the founding of Cybertronian civilization, Shockwave allowed his pupil to run amok; {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Megatronus thus began a new war of conquest to expand the [[Darklands]], annexing nearby regions such as the city of [[Protihex|Protohex]] and the [[Forgotten Plains]], murdering neighbouring ruler [[Septimus Prime]] and recruiting the fearsome twin [[gladiatorial combat|gladiators]] [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] and [[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]] to become his vanguards. Other tribal leaders who had arisen, including [[Alchemist Prime]], [[Vector Prime]], [[Solus Prime]], [[Nexus Prime]] and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], agreed in the face of Megatronus's conquests to work together, uniting their followers and founding a small village that they named "[[Crystal City]]." {{storylink|Origin Myths}}

[[File:OP18 Thirteen in Crystal City.jpg|thumb|left|375px|Ruling from an ivory tower. What could possibly go wrong?]]

While Megatronus's legions marched on Crystal City, the united Primes were bolstered by Onyx Prime and his ''other'' student, [[Liege Maximo]], {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} whose kingdom had been claimed by the Darklander advance. The two armies met in a battle that had the unexpected side effect of awakening three slumbering [[Titan (IDW)|Titan]]s — [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]], and [[Chela]] — from beneath Cybertron's surface, but while the armies were distracted by the arrival of the colossal beings, Onyx "realized" that their enemy was his "old friend" Megatronus. The two armies agreed to a truce, and all eight primes vowed to work together to rebuild and unify their planet. Having been enlightened on the value of myths and stories by Alpha Trion, Onyx Prime began telling tales of his own, inspiring Alchemist with legends of a "Chosen One" and dreaming up a new [[Autobot|insignia]] to commemorate their alliance — {{storylink|Origin Myths}} all, of course, based on his own knowledge of what the future held. The [[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|"Dark Cybertron" prophecy]] and idea of the Chosen One were specifically concocted to ensure [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]]'s future rise to power, as a "fool" like Starscream would not be able to see through Shockwave's machinations. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}

The eight original Primes were soon joined by five more, and over time Cybertron's inhabitants united under the banner of the [[Thirteen Tribes]], each Prime building a distinct civilization. {{storylink|The Crucible}} In this era of peace, the Liege Maximo was responsible for building and maintaining the alliance between the Thirteen; in honor of his feats, Liege Maximo's followers became known as skilled diplomats and negotiators. {{storylink|Heavy}} Each Prime commanded the loyalty of at least one [[Titan (IDW)|Titan]], {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} while the diminutive [[Titan Master]]s served as their heralds. {{storylink|White Heat}} Over the years, however, the decidedly mortal Primes had come to believe that they were inherently superior to other Cybertronians due to their powerful artifacts and historic feats; indeed, it was commonly held only another Prime could kill a Prime, though this was decidedly untrue. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} {{storylink|The Crucible}}

[[File:TheFirstWhoWasNamed-MegatronusKillsSolus.jpg|thumb|right|310px|Sephiroth, you jerk!]]
With Cybertron now in a "golden age", Onyx advised the Thirteen's leader [[Prima]] to spread Cybertron's "enlightenment" to other worlds, with their expedition — led by Onyx and Megatronus, with Alpha Trion accompanying them as recordskeeper — being the first to leave the planet since the Knights of Cybertron. However, their first planetary landing on the world of [[Antilla]] ended in a brutal conflict and the extinction of the native [[Antillan]]s, with Prima blaming Megatronus for the expedition's failure. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} {{storylink|Our Finest}} Liege Maximo, who (seeing helpful lies as more beneficient than harmful truths) had become increasingly manipulative and self-serving, {{storylink|Heavy}} acted on Onyx's orders to stoke Megatronus's resentment over this incident, leading him to attack Prima. Solus Prime intervened to save Prima's life, but Megatronus killed her with the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] that she had created.

Megatronus fled the planet, while Liege Maximo was captured by the Primes and imprisoned within his titan, [[Vigilem]], whom the other Titans deemed unworthy of remembrance and exiled into space. A repentant splinter of Liege Maximo's old tribe agreed to keep their former leader and his Titan permanently interred, renaming their dormant Titan "[[Vigilem|Carcer]]". {{storylink|Rubicon}} {{storylink|Heavy}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

The fallout from Maximo's betrayal sparked the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]], turning the tribes against one another in a planet-wide conflict. {{storylink|The Crucible}} Battle lines were drawn, but allegiances shifted throughout the war, necessitating betrayals and new alliances; Onyx initially allied with Micronus, {{storylink|White Heat}} but by ten million years ago, with the war drawing to a close, his tribe of [[beast mode]] Transformers had joined forces with Nexus Prime and his [[combiner]]s. Together, they raised a new army of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] using the [[Enigma of Combination]]. Disgusted by this fusion, [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] abandoned his post in Megatronus' army to slaughter the Headmasters to the last 'bot. {{storylink|Earthfall Chapter 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}}

Together, Onyx Prime and Prima hunted down Megatronus aboard Prima's Titan [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]], finding him on the planet [[Tsiehshi]]. Megatronus killed Prima before being slain by Onyx, his usefulness to Shockwave's machinations at an end; Emissary carried Prima's body to the stars, but Onyx ensured that he would crash on [[Elonia|a faraway planet]]. On returning, Onyx told Alpha Trion that Megatronus and Prima slew each other in final battle — the account of their deaths that he had learned from Trion in his youth. Megatronus's name was soon forgotten by history, and he became known only as "the Fallen". {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

Eventually, Galvatron tracked down and confronted Nexus Prime, obliterating the Prime with a single blast. Realizing that they were as mortal as any other Transformer, the remaining few Primes fled the planet for other worlds, with the exception of Alpha Trion. The war finally ended when Galvatron and [[Nova Prime|Nova Major]] famously routed the bestial hordes of [[Onyx Prime]] and, with Trion's aid and blessing, united the tribes as one planet under Nova '''Prime'''. Only Galvatron and Trion were left aware of what had happened to the Thirteen Primes; Alpha Trion simply let himself fade into the background of Cybertronian society, his true background as a Prime forgotten by the general populace. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

One way or another, the Thirteen departed Cybertron and vanished from history at around the same time that the thirteen Titans departed Cybertron, with the intent of founding new colonies elsewhere in the galaxy. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} Exact details are unclear, but the mythologies of several of these colony planets claim that the Primes, including [[Solus Prime]] and [[Onyx Prime]], had spearheaded the colonization missions themselves and subsequently left these newly settled worlds to their own devices. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} Either way, the developing civilizations on the colony worlds – cut off from Cybertron and the brutal injustices committed by Nova Prime and [[Nominus Prime|his]] [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|dubious]] [[Zeta Prime|successors]] – began deifying the Thirteen Primes, with some going so far as to worship any leader who wielded the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. The [[Way of Flame|dominant religion]] on [[Caminus]] exalted Solus Prime as the greatest of the Thirteen, {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} while the four tribes of [[Eukaris]] and their prophet [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] viewed Onyx Prime as a benevolent protector. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}}

The role that the original Primes had played in the establishment of Cybertronian society would eventually be immortalized on the silver screen in the "hella-racist" film, ''[[The Birth of Cybertron]]''. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|Dance Among the Shadows}} {{storylink|Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie}}

[[Micronus Prime]], master of [[Prion]], {{storylink|White Heat}} was known to have abandoned his native universe entirely after founding a colony of [[Mini-Con]]s. By the present day, his body lay dormant in the center of an alternate universe: the subatomic realm of [[Microspace]]. {{storylink|O Ship of State}} The ruler of Microspace, [[Baron Karza]] eventually {{i|enerchange}}d with Micronus and used the Prime's power to try and conquer the Earth, {{storylink|Wrath of Karza issue 1|Wrath of Karza #1}} only for [[Shazraella]] to use {{i|Time Traveler}} energy to separate the Prime from her husband and banish the Mini-Con through time. {{storylink|Wrath of Karza issue 5|Wrath of Karza #5}}

[[File:GhostStories-onyxprime.jpg|thumb|left|210px|"Stand and address your Almighty Tallest, Camien child."]]

The colony of [[Caminus]] detected a Cybertronian beacon emanating from the planet [[Antilla]] and sent three representatives to make contact with their ancestors. When they arrived, they found the planet to be a rusted wasteland ruled by Onyx Prime, who murdered [[Magrada]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} Following the expedition's return to Caminus, the [[Torchbearer]] [[Pyra Magna]] encountered Onyx Prime when an army of robotic beasts terrorized the inhabitants of [[Parvus Oppidum]] so they could retrieve a sample of [[Ore-4]]. The experience left her traumatized, but with time she realized that the Primes were not the divine entities that she had believed them to be and began preparing to take up arms against Primes should the need arise. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}} {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

In the modern day, [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] unknowingly sent the [[Regenesis]] ores off to what he believed were random suitable worlds, but were, thanks to his future self's time-travelling manipulations, worlds touched by the Thirteen. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

When Cybertron re-opened a [[space bridge|spacebridge]] link with Caminus after years of isolation, the [[Mistress of Flame]] believed that Optimus, wielding the Matrix of Leadership, was the legendary reincarnation of the Thirteenth Prime: a mysterious figure from Cybertron's past known as "[[the Arisen]]". {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 3: The Medium and the Message|The Medium and the Message}} Optimus's supposed divinity proved a double-edged sword as he grew increasingly bold and unilateral in his decision making; leaning on the faith of others to unconditionally support his choices, he wound up annexing Earth into the [[Council of Worlds]] and sparking an interplanetary diplomatic crisis. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}} [[Colonist Soldiers|New recruits]] from Caminus, Eukaris, [[Velocitron]], and [[Devisiun]] believed wholeheartedly in Optimus's status as one of the Thirteen and began wearing [[mouthplate]]s to better emulate their leader. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}}

Liege Maximo escaped from his imprisonment in Carcer in 2017, following a [[zombie]] Titan invasion on Cybertron. {{storylink|Rubicon}} The Camien [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] was released from prison by Cybertron's leader Starscream to hunt Maximo down, {{storylink|Heavy}} {{storylink|The Chosen One}} but Liege — who, by this point, had come to understand his master's decision to exile him aboard his loyal Titan — was found by Onyx, and brought with him in chains on his return to Cybertron. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} Liege was taken into custody while Optimus and the [[Council of Worlds]] entered negotiations with Onyx, but the Prime's manipulations caused infighting and chaos, as well as an explosion that killed Alpha Trion. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} With all of his plans falling into place, Shockwave discarded his "Onyx" identity, having no further use for it after he cast Optimus into the Crystal City singularity. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}

Though Shockwave was taken prisoner soon after, his machinations had forced all of Cybertron accept a bitter truth; the Thirteen had been nothing more than ordinary Cybertronians. Upon hearing [[Pyra Magna]] vocalize this, Shockwave claimed this acceptance had been part of his plan to render all faiths and beliefs on Cybertron meaningless in preparation for [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s arrival. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Prima]]
*[[Vector Prime]]
*[[Alpha Trion (G1)#IDW Generation 1 continuity|Alpha Trion]]
*[[Solus Prime]]
*[[Micronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime]]
*"[[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Onyx Prime]]"
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo]]
*[[The Fallen]]
*[[The Arisen]]
}}
:''See "[[#Covenant Thirteen|Covenant Thirteen]]" above''
{{--}}

===Olympian universe===
In certain universes, the Thirteen visited [[Greece]] in a time before human technology was advanced enough for them to assume vehicular disguises. Instead, twelve of their number dwelled on [[Mount Olympus]] and used [[holomatter]] avatars to interact with the natives, {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/20}} while [[Mortilus]] remained beneath the Earth with their ship, alongside his vassal [[Bruticus (RID)|Bruticus]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/08}}

As "quasi-humans", the Thirteen would become known to the local humans as the {{w|Twelve Olympians|gods of Olympus}}. [[Vector Prime]] was {{w|Hermes}}; the rage-filled [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] was {{w|Ares}}; the hard-working [[Solus Prime]] was {{w|Hephaestus}}; the wise [[Alpha Trion]] was {{w|Athena}}; the eldest of their number [[Prima]] was {{w|Zeus}}; his close ally [[Nexus Prime|Nexus Maximus]] was {{w|Hera}}; the nature-loving hunter [[Onyx Prime]] was {{w|Artemis}}; the hard-drinking [[Alchemist Prime]] was {{w|Dionysus}}; the vain and manipulative [[Liege Maximo]] was {{w|Aphrodite}}; the healer [[Last Autobot|Autonomous Prime]] was {{w|Apollo}}; the chaotic [[Adaptus]] was {{w|Poseidon}}; the solitary Mortilus was {{w|Hades}}; and the knowledge-sharing [[Epistemus]] was {{w|Demeter}}. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/20}} {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/08}}

As the Olympians, several of the Thirteen deviated from both their more common gender identities and their status as siblings; Vector considered Hades and Poseidon to be his uncles, {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/20}} and because of the animosity between Hephaestus and Aphrodite, Zeus decreed that they should be [[Transformer romance|bonded together]] to avoid further conflict (which only made things worse). Amongst the Thirteen's many experiences, Hades and Demeter quarrelled over a woman named [[Persephone]]; Vector would later note that as "quasi-humans" their conflicts were far more petty and frequent. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/08}}

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Vector Prime|Hermes]]
*[[The Fallen|Ares]]
*[[Solus Prime|Hephaestus]]
*[[Alpha Trion|Athena]]
*[[Prima|Zeus]]
*[[Nexus Prime|Hera]]
*[[Onyx Prime|Artemis]]
*[[Alchemist Prime|Dionysus]]
*[[Liege Maximo|Aphrodite]]
*[[Last Autobot|Apollo]]
*[[Adaptus|Poseidon]]
*[[Mortilus|Hades]]
*[[Epistemus|Demeter]]
}}

===''Power of the Primes'' marketing material===
The [[spark]]s of the original Primes were carried by the [[Prime Master]]s, diminutive Transformers who, when in spark mode, could unite with larger Transformers to grant them [[Prime Master/Combinations|the powers of the Primes]] to wield as they choose. To minimise unwanted attention from those who sought the power they held, the Prime Masters hid themselves inside special decoy armor, which cloaked their vast power from the outside world.

Rather than a Prime Master, the role of the Thirteenth Prime was held by whoever currently bore the [[Matrix of Leadership]].<ref name="POTPMatrix"/> The Thirteenth Prime was, however, made into a Prime Master too, transforming into a core resembling the Matrix of Leadership.

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Prima|Prima Prime]]
*[[Vector Prime]]
*[[Alpha Trion]]
*[[Solus Prime]]
*[[Micronus]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime]]
*[[Onyx Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo]]
*[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]
*[[Thirteenth Prime|The Thirteeth]]
}}
:''See "[[#Covenant Thirteen|Covenant Thirteen]]" above''
{{--}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoon===
The combined knowledge of the Thirteen was hidden away in the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]]. In the wake of [[Solus Prime]]'s death at [[The Fallen|Megatronus]]'s hands, the remaining members chose to seal away the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] in [[Primal Swamp]], tasking a series of guardians with protecting it that culminated in [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}}

During a crisis, the [[Mistress of Flame]] prayed to Primus and the Thirteen for spiritual guidance and aid. {{storylink|Overlord and Emissary}}

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Alpha Trion]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime]]
*[[Prima]]
*[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]
}}
{{note|The intro sequence to ''Power of the Primes'' shows the wheel of symbols representing the twelve Primes of the ''POTP'' marketing material; however, considering the anomalous presence of Sentinel, it's hard to take this as confirmation that those twelve are members of the Thirteen in-universe.}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*''Transformers: The Ultimate Guide'' asserts that all of the Thirteen were destroyed in the early battle between Primus and Unicron, but the statement was disproven by the book itself, since it recounted how The Fallen was not destroyed but exiled to a transdimensional prison from which he later escaped. Fun Publications comics would later depict Vector Prime as the sole surviving member of the Thirteen, and then go on to introduce Nexus Prime as a co-survivor alongside him.
*In Hasbro Q&A on October, 2009 from [http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63609 ''The Allspark Forum''], The Thirteen are referred to as "the Original Epic Warriors of Cybertron" by Hasbro.
*The notion of the Primes being originally huge is similar to early ''Revenge of the Fallen'' concepts where the Fallen dwarfed Optimus and was almost the size of a pyramid, as evident from [[Defiance issue 4|''Defiance'' #4]] and the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Saisho no Jūsannin no Prime''' (最初の13人のプライム, "Original 13 Primes")

==References==
<references/>

{{Thirteen}}
{{IDWPrimes nav}}

[[Category:Classics subgroups]]
[[Category:Cybertron subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 1 subgroups]]
[[Category:IDW Generation 1 subgroups]]
[[Category:Prime subgroups]]
[[Category:Primus]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass subgroups]]
[[Category:Subgroups]]
[[Category:Thirteen| ]]
[[Category:TransTech]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron subgroups]]

Thirteen

2018-10-10T21:03:07Z

BumbleBeeCee: /* Covenant Thirteen */ Moved the info about Thirteen into the Covenant section. Power of the Primes info is on the page later.

{{disambig3|Thirteen}}
[[File:Original13.jpg|center|upright=2.8|thumb|Guess the one on fire!]]

{{quote|We are the 13, the first, the forgotten, each of us serving a function vital to the survival of the universe. Each of us designated a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and given a function to serve during the long march of infinity.|[[Vector Prime]]|"[[Vector Prime: In the Beginning]]"}}

The '''Thirteen''' are the first [[Transformer]]s created by [[Primus]]. Rightfully huge and powerful, each was designated a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]],<ref>A Hasbro Q&A response would later try to alter this. See Notes above.</ref> and given unique roles and natures to battle Primus's ancient foe [[Unicron]].

==Conceptual history==
[[File:BW Covenant.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Covenant (group)|Covenant]] shares a very similar base concept with the Thirteen, and may have been the original inspiration for them.]]
The concept of the Thirteen has only been around for about a third of the Transformers brand's thirty-year history, and the slow drip-feeding of information that characterized the early stages of their story was not been presented in a very linear manner. The development of the concept is described in this section to minimize confusion; for details of their history and actions in specific bits of fiction, see below.

The very earliest seeds of the Thirteen can probably be found in material produced by [[3H Productions]] for [[BotCon]], most notably 1999's "[[Covenant (story)|Covenant]]". This story introduces the undeniably similar concept of the [[Covenant (group)|Covenant]], a group of twelve zodiac-themed robots who are the first creations of [[Primus]], created as a test-run for the Transformer race. Despite the basic similarity between the Covenant and the Thirteen, though, the two groups were not connected until 2015, and those same stories by 3H would ultimately contradict the later lore of the Thirteen by introducing [[Primon]], a Matrix-bearer who preceded [[Prima]], which should not be possible. (That 2015 connection was an October entry for "[[Ask Vector Prime]]", which flagged up that nobody in-universe knew if the Covenant had a link to the Thirteen and that they may just be stories the Thirteen tell themselves.)

[[File:Vectorprimeut.jpg|thumb|[[Fun Publications]] established [[Vector Prime]] to be a member of the Thirteen in 2005.]]

It was in the pages of 2004's ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' that the mysterious "Thirteen Original Transformers" were first spoken of, and their basic origin was laid down: they were the first Transformers created by Primus to battle Unicron, and their number included Prima, the first [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-bearer from the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel Comics series]] and [[The Fallen]], an enigmatic servant of Unicron from [[Dreamwave Productions]]' 2003 comic, ''[[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|War Within: The Dark Ages]]''. The book also noted that if ''[[Alignment]]'' had been published, the [[Liege Maximo]], an ancient evil [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] from the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comics]], would have been counted among them as well (retroactively, of course, since ''Alignment'' predated the idea of the Thirteen). The book also contained a passing mention that the enigmatic [[Maccadam|manager]] of [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]], a Cybertronian pub introduced in the UK Generation 1 Marvel Comics, was rumored to be one of the Thirteen (though it also admits that this could be a fabrication by the pub's drunken patrons). Not surprisingly, it was the creator of all four of these characters, [[Simon Furman]], who both wrote the guide and conceived the idea of the Thirteen.<ref>Simon Furman panel, BotCon 2012</ref> While it was Furman who also created the Covenant, it is not yet known whether or not he was deliberately drawing upon his old idea when he introduced the Thirteen in this book.

The concept of the Thirteen quietly bubbled under for the next year, until another element was added with the introduction of [[Vector Prime]] in 2005's ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' series. Although presented merely as a very ancient [[Autobot]] in the original Japanese version of the ''Cybertron'' cartoon, Hasbro envisioned him as one of the Thirteen, and writer [[Forest Lee]] made this explicit in [[Vector Prime: In the Beginning|the first story]] produced for the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]]. This story also introduced the idea that all of the Thirteen were [[Prime (rank)|Primes]], and that each had a specific function or purpose; Vector Prime's was stewardship of time, while a 2007 [[bio]] written for The Fallen's ''[[Titanium Series]]'' toy would later reveal he was the overseer of entropy. Between these two releases, in 2006, the short Japanese text story ''[[Beast Wars Reborn]]'' introduced [[Logos Prime]]; as a Japanese creation, his status among the Thirteen would be in question for years.

[[File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|left|thumb|Fun Publications also introduced the first [[combiner]], [[Nexus Prime]].]]

While it was not immediately apparent, Hasbro had put a plan in motion for the Thirteen with the Collectors' Club comic: across the next five years, five separate robots were introduced who were gradually revealed to be components of a combiner, Nexus Prime, who was one of the Thirteen. During this five-year span, the subject of the Thirteen often came up at BotCon Q&A sessions, during which the idea of them being [[multiversal singularity|multiversal singularities]] solidified—a concept which purported that across all the different [[universal stream]]s, only one incarnation of each of the Thirteen existed, moving between worlds. This idea would later be canonized with the pages of Fun Publications' comics.

Also during this time, current Transformers comic license holders [[IDW Publishing]] spoke often of a potential comic book mini-series about the Thirteen to be written by Simon Furman, but this was eventually nixed, with Furman noting in 2009 that this was because it had "become more of a [[Hasbro]] thing than an IDW thing."<ref>[http://hombreimaginario.deviantart.com/art/Interviews-10-Simon-Furman-130246343 Furman talks about the Thirteen in an interview on DeviantArt]</ref> Hasbro's desire to control and fully conceptualize the story of the Thirteen was further made evident when, after [[Fun Publications]]' Nexus Prime story concluded in the same year, they effectively took "custody" of the character as part of their future plans. This control, however, was evidently not all-encompassing: also in 2009, The Fallen made a surprising appearance as the titular villain of the second-live action Transformers film, ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', where he was a member not of a group of thirteen, but only ''seven'' Primes. Hasbro's [[Hasbro Q&A/October 2009#AllSpark.com|October 2009 online Q&A]] retroactively justified this by explaining that while all the Thirteen were Primes, only seven actually had the word "Prime" ''in their names''.

[[File:TransformersVault-Prima.jpg|thumb|The new design for [[Prima]] was revealed at [[BotCon 2010]].]]

Eventually, in 2010, the grand scope of the new [[Aligned continuity family]] became the "delivery method" for Hasbro's long-percolating tale of the Thirteen. However, the "Aligned" continuity was also established to ''not'' be part of the multiverse in which all preceding Transformers fiction took place, which until then had lain the groundwork for the Thirteen. As such, the new information introduced by the Aligned continuity was only true for ''that'' continuity, and even chose to ignore or overrule some previous pieces of the story that had been revealed in "Multiverse" stories—The Fallen was given a much more tragic origin story that involved no connection to Unicron, Logos Prime was not included in the ranks of the "Aligned Thirteen", and [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] was named as a member of the Aligned group. From 2010 to 2013, various pieces of Aligned media—including the novels ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Exiles]]'', the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' cartoon, and the prose work ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus]]''—detailed in full the complete roster and history of the Thirteen in the Aligned Continuity, including many brand-new characters and events, which can all be read about further down this article.

In 2014, things got a little complicated when [[The Crucible|''Robots in Disguise'' #34]] introduced the Thirteen into IDW Publishing's Generation 1 continuity...except that the Thirteen involved in the story were not the "Multiverse Thirteen", but a version of the "Aligned Thirteen", with a backstory that did not match ''either'' incarnation. Over the course of the next year, the Q&A feature [[Ask Vector Prime]] worked to explain this, revealing that non-singularity versions of the Thirteen also exist within the multiverse, and that the "Aligned Thirteen" were one such example. The feature also revealed the remaining members of the "Multiverse Thirteen", which included a mixture of the new characters from the Aligned version of the group, and other characters drawn from Transformers history (including the [[Guiding Hand]], an entirely ''different'' group of forerunners to the Transformers introduced in IDW's comics). The completion of the roster was done as a "last hurrah" for the singularity version of the Thirteen—in 2015, the Collectors' Club comic storyline ''[[Another Light]]'' saw the Thirteen's existence as multiversal singularities nullified. Freed from the complex bounds of this concept, the story of the Thirteen is now free to be told any way, in any continuity, with membership freely able to differ across universes.
{{--}}

==Members==
Because of their complicated fictional natures, conceptual histories, and status as multiversal "archetypes", TFWiki.Net opts to break our standard rules a little and give most members of the group a single article that covers all different versions of that character, as opposed to separate articles (G1, Unicron Trilogy, Movie, etc...) for each incarnation.

===Covenant Thirteen===
[[File:OneShallRise1-WellofAllSparks.jpg|thumb|325px|"No, Harry, no! Don't look at the light!"]]
The first full lineup of the Thirteen was originally formalized for the [[Aligned continuity family]], and properly revealed in ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus]]''. The "Aligned Thirteen" were initially considered to be separate from the "Multiverse Thirteen", something backed up in fiction which described their [[universal stream|universal cluster]] as being previously separate from the multiverse, but the core list has since been widely used even in non-Aligned materials such as the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity]].

*'''[[Prima]]'''—The leader of the Thirteen, a warrior of light and the first [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix-bearer]] who wielded the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]].
*'''[[Vector Prime]]'''—The master of time and space, which he could manipulate through his [[Blades of Time]].
*'''[[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]]'''—Holder of the [[Quill]], which he uses to record the past, present, and future of Cybertron in the [[Covenant of Primus]] as part of his role as recordskeeper of the Primes.
*'''[[Solus Prime]]'''—The master artificer and creator of many of the Primes' weapons through use of her incredible [[Forge of Solus Prime|Forge]]. She was the first [[female Transformer|female Cybertronian]].
*'''[[Micronus Prime]]'''—The conscience of the Thirteen, and the first [[Mini-Con]], able to [[Powerlinx|link up with and enhance the power]] of his siblings through the use of his [[Chimera Stone]]; responsible for creating the alternate dimension of [[Microspace]].
*'''[[Alchemist Prime]]'''—Student of the elemental structure of the natural world, aided in this by his [[Lenses]], which allowed him to see further and deeper than anyone, in both material and spiritual senses; fond of the occasional tipple, with some claiming that he still walks Cybertron in the form of [[Maccadam|a humble bartender]].
*'''[[Nexus Prime]]'''—The first and greatest [[combiner]], granted the ability to divide himself into separate forms by his [[Enigma of Combination]]. Unpredictable, fascinated by change, and a lighthearted prankster.
*'''[[Onyx Prime]]'''—The first beast-form Cybertronian, a primitive and spiritual being able to view other times, places, souls, and even the afterlife through his three-faced [[Triptych Mask]].
*'''[[Amalgamous Prime]]'''—The joker of the Thirteen and the first [[Shifter]], unpredictable and easygoing. He was first Cybertronian with the ability of [[transformation]], granted him by his [[Transformation cog]], which became the basis for the cogs in all subsequent Transformer life.
*'''[[Quintus Prime]]'''—A daydreamer and perfectionist whose drive to express his ideas led him to become a scientist. His artifact was the [[Emberstone]], which gave him the ability to create life; the [[Quintesson]]s were among his creations.
*'''[[Liege Maximo]]'''—The "Prime of Lies", a black-hearted and amoral manipulator. Though his artifact was notionally the toxin-loaded [[Liegian Darts]], his real skill was his ability to talk others into his way of thinking.
*'''[[The Fallen]]'''—Once known as '''Megatronus''', guardian of entropy and wielder of the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]], the Fallen's name was stricken from history when the dark warrior turned on his siblings.
*'''[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'''—In the Aligned continuity family, the Thirteenth Prime was Optimus, mediator of the Primes, who united the Thirteen by being the first among them to raise an arm in greeting. He would subsequently be reincarnated as '''Orion Pax'''. In the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity]], the name of the mysterious thirteenth member of the group was not recorded in history, being only known as "'''the Arisen'''"; the [[Mistress of Flame]] believes he is [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]].

===Multiversal Thirteen===
[[File:AnotherLight-Thirteen.jpg|thumb|325px|Who are we? You'll never know!]]
Though the "multiversal Thirteen"—considered separate to the "Aligned Thirteen"—had almost half of their members revealed before any non-multiversal incarnation was ever mentioned, the remainder of their membership was unknown until a [[Ask Vector Prime/Facebook src#ThirteenList|June 2015 Facebook post]] from "[[Ask Vector Prime]]" listed off twelve of Vector Prime's siblings. The members known before then were:
*'''[[Prima]]'''—The first [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix-bearer]] and first Transformer born from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the leader of the Thirteen.<ref>''Sentinel Prime was one of a dynasty of Primes, stretching back to the original '''13 Transformers''' and their leader, Prima.'' — ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' (2005) 1st ed p15, "Sentinel Prime"</ref> He wielded the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], a mighty blade capable of unparalleled destruction.
*'''[[Liege Maximo]]'''—A legendary schemer.<ref name="askvectorprime">[[Ask Vector Prime]] on Facebook</ref>
*'''[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]'''—Formerly the guardian of entropy, whose name was stricken from history when he betrayed his brothers and became a [[Herald of Unicron]] under the new name "'''The Fallen'''".<ref>''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]''</ref>
*'''[[Vector Prime]]'''—The guardian of space and time, who spent most of his life outside of reality, observing it and occasionally stepping in to help.
*'''[[Nexus Prime]]'''—The first combiner and the guardian of [[Rarified Energon]].
*'''[[Logos Prime]]'''—An enigmatic figure who, operating in the present day under the new name Soundblaster, sought to pass on his incredible powers over time and space to an heir.

To these Vector Prime added four of the ones invented by the Covenant:

*'''[[Alchemist Prime]]'''—Rumored to have established [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|a bar]] on modern Cybertron, seeking to provide a respite from endless war. <ref>In [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|''The Ultimate Guide'']], the enigmatic [[Maccadam]] was rumored to be a member of the Thirteen by drunken patrons of his bar. Vector Prime would later half-jokingly imply that Alchemist Prime amd Maccadam were the same individual, as described above. There's nothing that explicitly ''says'' they're the same, but... you know.</ref> <ref name="askvectorprime"/>
*'''[[Solus Prime]]'''—A renowned smith who wielded a powerful [[Forge of Solus Prime|Forge]].<ref name="askvectorprime"/>
*'''[[Micronus Prime]]'''—The progenitor of the [[Mini-Con]]s.<ref>[[Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist]]</ref>
*'''[[Onyx Prime]]'''—In-tune with nature and the organic.<ref name="askvectorprime"/>

And three other powerful figures from "Transformers" lore:

*'''[[Last Autobot|Autonomous Maximus]]'''—A lonely sentinel who renounced his name, becoming simply known as the Last Autobot.
*'''[[Solomus]]'''—A gentle and kind individual, who is instead in some universes a member of the [[Guiding Hand]].
*'''[[Epistemus]]'''—A Cybertronian of unconventional intellect, also sometimes of the Guiding Hand.

===Other members===
Particularly following the Shroud, certain realities include entirely different lineups of the Thirteen, which have included:
*'''[[Adaptus]]'''—Blessed with powers of change, ''also'' sometimes of the Guiding Hand; may or may not in some universes be the same individual as Amalgamous Prime.
*'''[[Mortilus]]'''—A solitary member of the Thirteen who stayed apart from the others, who was in some universes a member of the Guiding Hand.
*'''[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'''—A Prime known for his wisdom.<ref>''[[Transformers: Titans Return (cartoon)|Transformers: Titans Return]]'' episode 4, "[[Overlord and Emissary]]"</ref>

==Fiction==
===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Thefallen.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|No, seriously guys, is it just me, or is it hot in here?]]

[[The Fallen]] was thwarted in his attempt to sabotage [[Primus]]'s [[Cybertron (planet)|physical form]], and the Thirteen allegedly died after casting the Fallen and his master [[Unicron]] through a [[black hole]] into another dimension. In truth, the Fallen was imprisoned in another dimension, while [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] kept watch over the Transformers in the [[Well of All Sparks]] and Primus entered his eternal sleep to hide from Unicron. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}}

After [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)#Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Megatron]] were lost in a [[space bridge]] explosion, the Fallen was free from his prison in [[Transwarp|underspace]], and returned to Cybertron. He immediately set about trying to undo the [[Seal of Primus]] that locked the Well of All Sparks. However, upon his success, the Fallen was promptly destroyed by his reawoken creator. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages}}

{{Unreleased DW G1 comic}}
In the present day, Jetfire discovered that Shockwave had broken the Seal for his cloning experiments. The Fallen's essence escaped and corrupted [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], and following his death, passed into Jetfire. This corruption caused Jetfire to be plagued by many visions, among them The Fallen beating down his brethren in an ancient battle. {{storylink|The Enemy Within}}

'''Known members:'''
*[[Prima]]
*[[The Fallen]]
*[[Maccadam]] (rumored)

===Fun Publications===
[[Vector Prime]] aided the [[Autobot]]s in finding the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s to close the [[Unicron Singularity]]. He regularly reported their progress to [[Alpha Trion (Energon)|Alpha Trion]], but during one visit Unicron's servants [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]] and [[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|Nemesis Prime]] attacked. {{storylink|Balancing Act}} [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]] came to Cybertron looking for clues to his past, only to be attacked by [[Scorponok (Energon)|Dark Scorponok]], {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 2}} but his forcefield protected him. Ramjet offered him clues to his past in exchange for his <s>soul</s> service. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 3}} They went to Primus's spark core to destroy him with the [[Dead Matrix]], but Vector and [[Sentinel Maximus]] fought back. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 4}} Ramjet said he would stop trying to kill Primus if Vector aided them in restoring the balance by resurrecting Unicron, but he refused. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Pt 5}} Skyfall tried to save Ramjet but his forcefield only ignited an explosion that killed Ramjet. {{storylink|Revelations Part 1}} Vector had drones repair Skyfall and found [[Omega Prime]]—the creation of one of Trion's [[Viron]] counterparts—had helped Sentinel defeated Nemesis. Omega's presence saddened Vector, as it confirmed the multiverse was falling apart, and he left for Earth. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}

Skyfall was helping Sentinel repair [[Vector Sigma]], when [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] informed him he had found a twenty-million-cycle-old carving of him and another bot. {{storylink|Revelations Part 4}} Immediately during a battle between [[Mini-Con]] Autobots and [[Decepticon]]s, Skyfall found [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]]. {{storylink|Revelations Part 5}} The two seemingly vanished when Unicron attacked, {{storylink|Revelations Part 6}} when they had been transported to [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]]'s universe, {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 1}} and the trio and went through a [[space bridge]] {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}} to find [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]] in [[Axiom Nexus]]. [[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]] and [[Silverbolt (TransTech)|Silverbolt]] introduced the trio to [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]]. However, [[Shockwave (TransTech)|Shockwave]] had Breakaway quietly subdued and taken to his laboratory. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 1}} Skyfall and Landquake realized Breakaway was gone, but Alpha Trion told them to come with him if they wanted to rescue their brother from the evil [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTechs]]. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 2}} He explained he was not from this dimension and was part of a resistance movement, introducing them to Topspin, whose job was to transfer their [[lowtech]] followers' [[spark]]s into their TransTech counterparts. Realizing Topspin was one of their kin, Skyfall and Landquake agreed to help. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 3}} [[Nightscream (TransTech)|Nightscream]] found Breakaway was being held near the portal to Alpha Trion's dimension, {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 4}} and his acolytes attacked, rescuing Breakaway {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 5}} and entering the [[transwarp]] device. Alpha Trion explained to Skyfall he was the key to the reunification, and killed him as they entered [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|his universe]]. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 6}}

[[File:Reunification5-arisenexusprime.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.95|"It's beautiful..." "Holy crap!" "It's perfect!" "This is the best thing!"]]
Despite his claim his was a peaceful world, Alpha Trion shot [[Downshift (SG)|Downshift]], and Breakaway realized Skyfall had been killed by an energy blade rather than shot from behind as the old Autobot claimed. Alpha Trion's troops arrived, took the four components and he proclaimed he would kill them all—as reunification still worked with one of them dead—and that his reign would begin. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 1}} Landquake manipulated the raw energon and used smokebombs to escape, with Topspin and Breakaway carrying Skyfall. Weeks later, after trying unsuccessfully to revive Skyfall, {{storylink|Reunification: Part 2}} the [[Quintesson]] [[Aquarius (SG)|Aquarius]] appeared to take them to [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 3}} Landquake explained their situation to the Decepticons, and Megatron asked [[Cyclonus (SG)|Cyclonus]] to bring [[Heatwave (Timelines)|Heatwave]], but then Cyclonus, revealing himself to be an agent of Alpha Trion, assassinated Megatron. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 4}} Breakaway suggested they use their powers to revive Megatron, and found themselves in a white space with Skyfall and Primus. They made their choice: [[Nexus Prime]] was reborn. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 5}} Nexus resurrected Megatron as Galvatron and defeated [[Omega Doom]]. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 6}} Using Galvatron's gift of the [[stellar spanner]], Nexus and Aquarius began dimension-hopping to find the shards of the [[Star Saber (Prima)|artifact]] he had been entrusted with, so he could complete his memories. While Nexus outlined the artifact's background to Aquarius, the faces of Vector Prime and [[The Fallen]] flashed through his mind. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 1}}

The TransTechs knew the [[Mini-Con]]s to be the children of [[Micronus Prime]] {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/09}} and early on in their history were threatened with an ultimately failed coup led by [[Jhiaxus (TransTech)|Jhiaxus]], a follower of the [[Liege Maximo]]. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/06}}

When the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]]s detected significant multiversal chaos resulting from negative polarity Primax Autobots [[Invasion (issue)|crossing over into a mirror universe]], they suspected that [[Rarified Energon]] was somehow involved. [[Rhinox (TransTech)|Rhinox]] was also aware of (correct) rumors that the Thirteen were involved with Rarified Energon. {{storylink|Invasion Prologue}} As part of their response to the multiversal chaos, the TransTechs deployed [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]] to prehistoric Shatteredverse Earth in order to keep the [[Origin Matrix]] out of evil hands. {{storylink|Invasion: Epilogue}}

After several unspecified adventures, Aquarius ended up in Axiom Nexus and took charge of a shard of the Star Saber from [[Chifumi Takahashi|a courier]]. In exchange, he promised to help her get home. {{storylink|Transformers I.Q.#issue 48|Transformers I.Q. last issue review}} To their surprise, however, they ended up on Shatteredverse Cybertron. It soon became obvious that Nexus had transported them there in order to receive the [[Origin Matrix]], the fifth and final piece, from [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], recently retrieved from prehistoric Shatteredverse Earth. {{storylink|Transformers I.Q.#issue 54|Transformers I.Q. trivia bonus #12}} {{storylink|Falling into Place}}

When he reunited the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] and the [[Terminus Blade]], Nexus Prime decided that he was going to return things to "how they used to be", {{storylink|Restoration}} and strengthened the walls between the various realities of the multiverse, which had the consequence of ending the existence of he and siblings as multiversal singularities. {{storylink|Out of the One, Many}}

'''Known members:'''
:''See "[[#Multiversal Thirteen|Multiversal Thirteen]]" above''

===''Beast Wars Reborn''===
[[File:Bwreborn text.jpg|thumb]]
The '''Ancients''' (エンシェント ''Enshento'') were the original clan of Transformers created by Primus before he became [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and possessed extraordinary powers over space and time. One of them, [[Logos Prime]], lost sight of his objective and memory of him faded away. {{Storylink|Planetfall (BWR)|Planetfall}} He would return under the name of Soundblaster, abducting [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] so he could apparently appoint Megatron as his successor. [[Vector Prime]] was sent by Primus to stop the plot and was taken aback when confronted with his fellow Ancient who he thought lost. {{Storylink|Master of the Game}} While Vector Prime and what remained of Logos Prime fought on the astral plane, Soundblaster revealed the [[Zeonomicon]], the key to his power, and had Optimus and Megatron hunt it down on [[Animatron]] to decide who would inherit his power. {{storylink|Planetfall (BWR)|Planetfall}}

'''Known members:'''
*[[Vector Prime]]
*[[Logos Prime]]

===Live-action film series===
{{main|Dynasty of Primes}}

[[File:ROTF-sixprimes.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|The Primes in the Matrix/Allspark/surreal part of Primus's imagination.]]
The Primes were the guardians of the [[AllSpark]], charged with replenishing it. They commanded [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seekers]] and [[Constructicon (ROTF)|workers]] to find stars and replenish the AllSpark with their energy. The Fallen began seeing himself as the AllSpark's chosen one and began destroying solar systems with sentient life to replenish the Cube. His brothers warned him not to do it again, so The Fallen tried it again on [[Earth]] to lure them. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 3|Tales of the Fallen #3}} The Fallen slaughtered all his brothers bar Prima himself, who gathered his brothers' lifeforce to trap The Fallen in his [[sarcophagus]]. Prima sacrificed himself to form a [[Tomb of the Primes|tomb]] with his brothers' bodies to hide the Matrix. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 4|Tales of the Fallen #4}}

A long time passed, and The Fallen was eventually dug up. From his prison, he pushed [[Megatron (Movie)|High Protector Megatron]] into forming the Decepticons. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}} Thousands of years later, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], the sole surviving descendant of the Primes to survive The Fallen's rampage, {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen issue 3|Revenge of the Fallen #3}} had been killed. The Primes appeared to [[Sam Witwicky]], giving him the Matrix to revive Optimus, and Optimus avenged The Fallen's brothers by killing him. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

'''Known members:'''
*[[Prima]]
*[[The Fallen]]

{{note|The ''Revenge of the Fallen'' adaptations have thirteen Primes. While designs were made for twelve non-Fallen Prime heads, the finished film shows only seven Primes, and this change was followed in ''[[Transformers: Tales of the Fallen|Tales of the Fallen]]'' and [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|the Titan magazine]].}}

===Aligned continuity family===
[[File:OneShallRise1-TheThirteen.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|They're not a fan of direct lighting.]]

Seeing the endless stalemate between he and [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]], [[Primus]] created the Thirteen, warriors in the mould of himself and Unicron, to fight in his stead and introduce random variables. The Thirteen did indeed succeed in defeating Unicron but were infected with a touch of the Chaos-Bringer's darkness as a result of direct proximity to the Dark God.

Following Unicron's exile, the Primes began reshaping their world before the manipulations of [[Liege Maximo]] caused the group to descend into civil war. The skirmish claimed both Maximo and [[Solus Prime]]. [[Onyx Prime|Onyx]], [[Micronus Prime|Micronus]] and [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] chose to descend into the [[Core]] and join Primus so they could aid in the creation of the Cybertronian race with [[Prima]], [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Alchemist Prime]] remaining on Cybertron to act as stewards for the newborn species while [[Nexus Prime]] separated himself into separate individuals to live among the ordinary Cybertronians. [[Quintus Prime|Quintus]], [[Amalgamous Prime|Amalgamous]], [[Vector Prime]] and [[The Fallen]] left Cybertron outright.

Following the [[Great Cataclysm]], Prima and Alchemist Prime disappeared with Alpha Trion choosing to fall into obscurity. As a result, the Thirteen became little more than a myth in the new era. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|Covenant of Primus}}

What lore regarding the Primes survived into the pre-War era is that their war made "enemies of brothers, murderers of lovers, heroes of the insignificant, and cowards of the mighty". Allegiances formed and broke apart: Megatronus refused to bow before his brothers, and he believed he would be vindicated someday despite his destructive methods. The murder of one sent them across the stars, to battle among themselves for billions of cycles. Finally, there came a time when Prima had to relinquish the Matrix. Afterwards, the [[Covenant of Primus]] decreed Cybertron could only have one Prime at a time. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} The chamber of the [[Autobot High Council|High Council of Cybertron]] had statues depicting the Primes. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

[[File:OneShallRise1-Thirteenattack.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Three seconds of one episode made up for a lifetime of lack of Thirteen images.]]
[[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] remained on Cybertron, recording these events into the Covenant, and the Primes became myths doubted by [[Jazz (WFC)|some]]. Alpha Trion retreated into becoming the Archivist of the [[Hall of Records]] when [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]], the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]], and the [[Guilds of Cybertron]] ignored his protests about the [[caste system]]. The [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] did not bestow itself onto another until the unworthy Sentinel died, and [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] was imbued with it, while his nemesis had become known as [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], who like his namesake had come to destroy that he believed in. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

During his travels across the galaxy, Optimus Prime encountered both [[Vector Prime|Vector]] and [[Nexus Prime]] both of whom expressed surprise that Alpha Trion still lived and wondered if any of their other brothers might still be alive. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

When Unicron stirred, Optimus Prime explained the history of the Thirteen to his human allies. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}}

Before Optimus Prime was to die, {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}} the Primes intercepted his [[spark]] and brought him to their [[Realm of the Primes|realm]]. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}}

After his death, Optimus was able to appear to Bumblebee when the Primes deemed the young bot's need was most dire. {{storylink|W.W.O.D.?}} As part of Optimus's training, Micronus challenged him to a test which resulted in him unlocking the capabilities of the [[Prime Decepticon Hunter]]. {{storylink|Out of Focus}} Though Optimus did not fully complete his training, he had six of the Primes in the [[Realm of the Primes]] send him to Earth to deal with the return of Megatronus, {{storylink|Battlegrounds, Part 1}} which he successfully accomplished with the aid of the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]]. {{storylink|Battlegrounds, Part 2}}

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Prima]]
*[[Vector Prime]]
*[[Alpha Trion]]
*[[Solus Prime]]
*[[Micronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime]]
*[[Onyx Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo]]
*[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]
}}
:''See "[[#Covenant Thirteen|Covenant Thirteen]]" above''
{{--}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:Heavy-TheThirteen.jpg|thumb|375px|"I think the Thirteen were blurry, that's the problem. It's not the artist's fault. The Primes were blurry, and that's extra scary to me. There were thirteen large, out-of-focus Transformers roaming Cybertron."]]
After the departure of the mythical [[Knights of Cybertron]], Cybertronian civilization, deprived of their benevolent guidance, descended once more into a primitive state of barbarism, with lesser tribal leaders carving out kingdoms and territories of their own. It was to this landscape that the [[Decepticon]] [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] was cast back in time by the destruction of his [[chronal drive]], and — after an encounter with a kindly shepherd named [[Onyx Prime|Onyx]] — realised from his extensive historical foreknowledge that he could study why Cybertronians inevitably fell to war by ensuring that history followed the path he knew that it must. As such, Shockwave murdered Onyx and took his identity as "Onyx Prime" in order to engineer the rise of the Thirteen Primes; his first act was to christen the most fearless member of Onyx's flock as "[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]", taking him on as a student.

Knowing that Megatronus's conquests would be the impetus for the founding of Cybertronian civilization, Shockwave allowed his pupil to run amok; {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Megatronus thus began a new war of conquest to expand the [[Darklands]], annexing nearby regions such as the city of [[Protihex|Protohex]] and the [[Forgotten Plains]], murdering neighbouring ruler [[Septimus Prime]] and recruiting the fearsome twin [[gladiatorial combat|gladiators]] [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] and [[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]] to become his vanguards. Other tribal leaders who had arisen, including [[Alchemist Prime]], [[Vector Prime]], [[Solus Prime]], [[Nexus Prime]] and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], agreed in the face of Megatronus's conquests to work together, uniting their followers and founding a small village that they named "[[Crystal City]]." {{storylink|Origin Myths}}

[[File:OP18 Thirteen in Crystal City.jpg|thumb|left|375px|Ruling from an ivory tower. What could possibly go wrong?]]

While Megatronus's legions marched on Crystal City, the united Primes were bolstered by Onyx Prime and his ''other'' student, [[Liege Maximo]], {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} whose kingdom had been claimed by the Darklander advance. The two armies met in a battle that had the unexpected side effect of awakening three slumbering [[Titan (IDW)|Titan]]s — [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]], and [[Chela]] — from beneath Cybertron's surface, but while the armies were distracted by the arrival of the colossal beings, Onyx "realized" that their enemy was his "old friend" Megatronus. The two armies agreed to a truce, and all eight primes vowed to work together to rebuild and unify their planet. Having been enlightened on the value of myths and stories by Alpha Trion, Onyx Prime began telling tales of his own, inspiring Alchemist with legends of a "Chosen One" and dreaming up a new [[Autobot|insignia]] to commemorate their alliance — {{storylink|Origin Myths}} all, of course, based on his own knowledge of what the future held. The [[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|"Dark Cybertron" prophecy]] and idea of the Chosen One were specifically concocted to ensure [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]]'s future rise to power, as a "fool" like Starscream would not be able to see through Shockwave's machinations. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}

The eight original Primes were soon joined by five more, and over time Cybertron's inhabitants united under the banner of the [[Thirteen Tribes]], each Prime building a distinct civilization. {{storylink|The Crucible}} In this era of peace, the Liege Maximo was responsible for building and maintaining the alliance between the Thirteen; in honor of his feats, Liege Maximo's followers became known as skilled diplomats and negotiators. {{storylink|Heavy}} Each Prime commanded the loyalty of at least one [[Titan (IDW)|Titan]], {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} while the diminutive [[Titan Master]]s served as their heralds. {{storylink|White Heat}} Over the years, however, the decidedly mortal Primes had come to believe that they were inherently superior to other Cybertronians due to their powerful artifacts and historic feats; indeed, it was commonly held only another Prime could kill a Prime, though this was decidedly untrue. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} {{storylink|The Crucible}}

[[File:TheFirstWhoWasNamed-MegatronusKillsSolus.jpg|thumb|right|310px|Sephiroth, you jerk!]]
With Cybertron now in a "golden age", Onyx advised the Thirteen's leader [[Prima]] to spread Cybertron's "enlightenment" to other worlds, with their expedition — led by Onyx and Megatronus, with Alpha Trion accompanying them as recordskeeper — being the first to leave the planet since the Knights of Cybertron. However, their first planetary landing on the world of [[Antilla]] ended in a brutal conflict and the extinction of the native [[Antillan]]s, with Prima blaming Megatronus for the expedition's failure. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} {{storylink|Our Finest}} Liege Maximo, who (seeing helpful lies as more beneficient than harmful truths) had become increasingly manipulative and self-serving, {{storylink|Heavy}} acted on Onyx's orders to stoke Megatronus's resentment over this incident, leading him to attack Prima. Solus Prime intervened to save Prima's life, but Megatronus killed her with the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] that she had created.

Megatronus fled the planet, while Liege Maximo was captured by the Primes and imprisoned within his titan, [[Vigilem]], whom the other Titans deemed unworthy of remembrance and exiled into space. A repentant splinter of Liege Maximo's old tribe agreed to keep their former leader and his Titan permanently interred, renaming their dormant Titan "[[Vigilem|Carcer]]". {{storylink|Rubicon}} {{storylink|Heavy}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

The fallout from Maximo's betrayal sparked the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]], turning the tribes against one another in a planet-wide conflict. {{storylink|The Crucible}} Battle lines were drawn, but allegiances shifted throughout the war, necessitating betrayals and new alliances; Onyx initially allied with Micronus, {{storylink|White Heat}} but by ten million years ago, with the war drawing to a close, his tribe of [[beast mode]] Transformers had joined forces with Nexus Prime and his [[combiner]]s. Together, they raised a new army of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] using the [[Enigma of Combination]]. Disgusted by this fusion, [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] abandoned his post in Megatronus' army to slaughter the Headmasters to the last 'bot. {{storylink|Earthfall Chapter 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}}

Together, Onyx Prime and Prima hunted down Megatronus aboard Prima's Titan [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]], finding him on the planet [[Tsiehshi]]. Megatronus killed Prima before being slain by Onyx, his usefulness to Shockwave's machinations at an end; Emissary carried Prima's body to the stars, but Onyx ensured that he would crash on [[Elonia|a faraway planet]]. On returning, Onyx told Alpha Trion that Megatronus and Prima slew each other in final battle — the account of their deaths that he had learned from Trion in his youth. Megatronus's name was soon forgotten by history, and he became known only as "the Fallen". {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

Eventually, Galvatron tracked down and confronted Nexus Prime, obliterating the Prime with a single blast. Realizing that they were as mortal as any other Transformer, the remaining few Primes fled the planet for other worlds, with the exception of Alpha Trion. The war finally ended when Galvatron and [[Nova Prime|Nova Major]] famously routed the bestial hordes of [[Onyx Prime]] and, with Trion's aid and blessing, united the tribes as one planet under Nova '''Prime'''. Only Galvatron and Trion were left aware of what had happened to the Thirteen Primes; Alpha Trion simply let himself fade into the background of Cybertronian society, his true background as a Prime forgotten by the general populace. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

One way or another, the Thirteen departed Cybertron and vanished from history at around the same time that the thirteen Titans departed Cybertron, with the intent of founding new colonies elsewhere in the galaxy. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} Exact details are unclear, but the mythologies of several of these colony planets claim that the Primes, including [[Solus Prime]] and [[Onyx Prime]], had spearheaded the colonization missions themselves and subsequently left these newly settled worlds to their own devices. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} Either way, the developing civilizations on the colony worlds – cut off from Cybertron and the brutal injustices committed by Nova Prime and [[Nominus Prime|his]] [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|dubious]] [[Zeta Prime|successors]] – began deifying the Thirteen Primes, with some going so far as to worship any leader who wielded the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. The [[Way of Flame|dominant religion]] on [[Caminus]] exalted Solus Prime as the greatest of the Thirteen, {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} while the four tribes of [[Eukaris]] and their prophet [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] viewed Onyx Prime as a benevolent protector. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}}

The role that the original Primes had played in the establishment of Cybertronian society would eventually be immortalized on the silver screen in the "hella-racist" film, ''[[The Birth of Cybertron]]''. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|Dance Among the Shadows}} {{storylink|Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie}}

[[Micronus Prime]], master of [[Prion]], {{storylink|White Heat}} was known to have abandoned his native universe entirely after founding a colony of [[Mini-Con]]s. By the present day, his body lay dormant in the center of an alternate universe: the subatomic realm of [[Microspace]]. {{storylink|O Ship of State}} The ruler of Microspace, [[Baron Karza]] eventually {{i|enerchange}}d with Micronus and used the Prime's power to try and conquer the Earth, {{storylink|Wrath of Karza issue 1|Wrath of Karza #1}} only for [[Shazraella]] to use {{i|Time Traveler}} energy to separate the Prime from her husband and banish the Mini-Con through time. {{storylink|Wrath of Karza issue 5|Wrath of Karza #5}}

[[File:GhostStories-onyxprime.jpg|thumb|left|210px|"Stand and address your Almighty Tallest, Camien child."]]

The colony of [[Caminus]] detected a Cybertronian beacon emanating from the planet [[Antilla]] and sent three representatives to make contact with their ancestors. When they arrived, they found the planet to be a rusted wasteland ruled by Onyx Prime, who murdered [[Magrada]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} Following the expedition's return to Caminus, the [[Torchbearer]] [[Pyra Magna]] encountered Onyx Prime when an army of robotic beasts terrorized the inhabitants of [[Parvus Oppidum]] so they could retrieve a sample of [[Ore-4]]. The experience left her traumatized, but with time she realized that the Primes were not the divine entities that she had believed them to be and began preparing to take up arms against Primes should the need arise. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}} {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

In the modern day, [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] unknowingly sent the [[Regenesis]] ores off to what he believed were random suitable worlds, but were, thanks to his future self's time-travelling manipulations, worlds touched by the Thirteen. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

When Cybertron re-opened a [[space bridge|spacebridge]] link with Caminus after years of isolation, the [[Mistress of Flame]] believed that Optimus, wielding the Matrix of Leadership, was the legendary reincarnation of the Thirteenth Prime: a mysterious figure from Cybertron's past known as "[[the Arisen]]". {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 3: The Medium and the Message|The Medium and the Message}} Optimus's supposed divinity proved a double-edged sword as he grew increasingly bold and unilateral in his decision making; leaning on the faith of others to unconditionally support his choices, he wound up annexing Earth into the [[Council of Worlds]] and sparking an interplanetary diplomatic crisis. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}} [[Colonist Soldiers|New recruits]] from Caminus, Eukaris, [[Velocitron]], and [[Devisiun]] believed wholeheartedly in Optimus's status as one of the Thirteen and began wearing [[mouthplate]]s to better emulate their leader. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}}

Liege Maximo escaped from his imprisonment in Carcer in 2017, following a [[zombie]] Titan invasion on Cybertron. {{storylink|Rubicon}} The Camien [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] was released from prison by Cybertron's leader Starscream to hunt Maximo down, {{storylink|Heavy}} {{storylink|The Chosen One}} but Liege — who, by this point, had come to understand his master's decision to exile him aboard his loyal Titan — was found by Onyx, and brought with him in chains on his return to Cybertron. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} Liege was taken into custody while Optimus and the [[Council of Worlds]] entered negotiations with Onyx, but the Prime's manipulations caused infighting and chaos, as well as an explosion that killed Alpha Trion. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} With all of his plans falling into place, Shockwave discarded his "Onyx" identity, having no further use for it after he cast Optimus into the Crystal City singularity. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}

Though Shockwave was taken prisoner soon after, his machinations had forced all of Cybertron accept a bitter truth; the Thirteen had been nothing more than ordinary Cybertronians. Upon hearing [[Pyra Magna]] vocalize this, Shockwave claimed this acceptance had been part of his plan to render all faiths and beliefs on Cybertron meaningless in preparation for [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s arrival. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Prima]]
*[[Vector Prime]]
*[[Alpha Trion (G1)#IDW Generation 1 continuity|Alpha Trion]]
*[[Solus Prime]]
*[[Micronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime]]
*"[[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Onyx Prime]]"
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo]]
*[[The Fallen]]
*[[The Arisen]]
}}
:''See "[[#Covenant Thirteen|Covenant Thirteen]]" above''
{{--}}

===Olympian universe===
In certain universes, the Thirteen visited [[Greece]] in a time before human technology was advanced enough for them to assume vehicular disguises. Instead, twelve of their number dwelled on [[Mount Olympus]] and used [[holomatter]] avatars to interact with the natives, {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/20}} while [[Mortilus]] remained beneath the Earth with their ship, alongside his vassal [[Bruticus (RID)|Bruticus]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/08}}

As "quasi-humans", the Thirteen would become known to the local humans as the {{w|Twelve Olympians|gods of Olympus}}. [[Vector Prime]] was {{w|Hermes}}; the rage-filled [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] was {{w|Ares}}; the hard-working [[Solus Prime]] was {{w|Hephaestus}}; the wise [[Alpha Trion]] was {{w|Athena}}; the eldest of their number [[Prima]] was {{w|Zeus}}; his close ally [[Nexus Prime|Nexus Maximus]] was {{w|Hera}}; the nature-loving hunter [[Onyx Prime]] was {{w|Artemis}}; the hard-drinking [[Alchemist Prime]] was {{w|Dionysus}}; the vain and manipulative [[Liege Maximo]] was {{w|Aphrodite}}; the healer [[Last Autobot|Autonomous Prime]] was {{w|Apollo}}; the chaotic [[Adaptus]] was {{w|Poseidon}}; the solitary Mortilus was {{w|Hades}}; and the knowledge-sharing [[Epistemus]] was {{w|Demeter}}. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/20}} {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/08}}

As the Olympians, several of the Thirteen deviated from both their more common gender identities and their status as siblings; Vector considered Hades and Poseidon to be his uncles, {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/20}} and because of the animosity between Hephaestus and Aphrodite, Zeus decreed that they should be [[Transformer romance|bonded together]] to avoid further conflict (which only made things worse). Amongst the Thirteen's many experiences, Hades and Demeter quarrelled over a woman named [[Persephone]]; Vector would later note that as "quasi-humans" their conflicts were far more petty and frequent. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/08}}

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Vector Prime|Hermes]]
*[[The Fallen|Ares]]
*[[Solus Prime|Hephaestus]]
*[[Alpha Trion|Athena]]
*[[Prima|Zeus]]
*[[Nexus Prime|Hera]]
*[[Onyx Prime|Artemis]]
*[[Alchemist Prime|Dionysus]]
*[[Liege Maximo|Aphrodite]]
*[[Last Autobot|Apollo]]
*[[Adaptus|Poseidon]]
*[[Mortilus|Hades]]
*[[Epistemus|Demeter]]
}}

===''Power of the Primes'' marketing material===
The [[spark]]s of the original Primes were carried by the [[Prime Master]]s, diminutive Transformers who, when in spark mode, could unite with larger Transformers to grant them [[Prime Master/Combinations|the powers of the Primes]] to wield as they choose. To minimise unwanted attention from those who sought the power they held, the Prime Masters hid themselves inside special decoy armor, which cloaked their vast power from the outside world.

Rather than a Prime Master, the role of the Thirteenth Prime was held by whoever bore the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. <ref name="POTPMatrix"/> The Thirteenth Prime was, however, made into a Prime Master too, transforming into a core resembling the Matrix of Leadership.

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Prima|Prima Prime]]
*[[Vector Prime]]
*[[Alpha Trion]]
*[[Solus Prime]]
*[[Micronus]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime]]
*[[Onyx Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo]]
*[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]
*[[Thirteenth Prime|The Thirteeth]]
}}
:''See "[[#Covenant Thirteen|Covenant Thirteen]]" above''
{{--}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoon===
The combined knowledge of the Thirteen was hidden away in the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]]. In the wake of [[Solus Prime]]'s death at [[The Fallen|Megatronus]]'s hands, the remaining members chose to seal away the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] in [[Primal Swamp]], tasking a series of guardians with protecting it that culminated in [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}}

During a crisis, the [[Mistress of Flame]] prayed to Primus and the Thirteen for spiritual guidance and aid. {{storylink|Overlord and Emissary}}

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Alpha Trion]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime]]
*[[Prima]]
*[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]
}}
{{note|The intro sequence to ''Power of the Primes'' shows the wheel of symbols representing the twelve Primes of the ''POTP'' marketing material; however, considering the anomalous presence of Sentinel, it's hard to take this as confirmation that those twelve are members of the Thirteen in-universe.}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*''Transformers: The Ultimate Guide'' asserts that all of the Thirteen were destroyed in the early battle between Primus and Unicron, but the statement was disproven by the book itself, since it recounted how The Fallen was not destroyed but exiled to a transdimensional prison from which he later escaped. Fun Publications comics would later depict Vector Prime as the sole surviving member of the Thirteen, and then go on to introduce Nexus Prime as a co-survivor alongside him.
*In Hasbro Q&A on October, 2009 from [http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63609 ''The Allspark Forum''], The Thirteen are referred to as "the Original Epic Warriors of Cybertron" by Hasbro.
*The notion of the Primes being originally huge is similar to early ''Revenge of the Fallen'' concepts where the Fallen dwarfed Optimus and was almost the size of a pyramid, as evident from [[Defiance issue 4|''Defiance'' #4]] and the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Saisho no Jūsannin no Prime''' (最初の13人のプライム, "Original 13 Primes")

==References==
<references/>

{{Thirteen}}
{{IDWPrimes nav}}

[[Category:Classics subgroups]]
[[Category:Cybertron subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 1 subgroups]]
[[Category:IDW Generation 1 subgroups]]
[[Category:Prime subgroups]]
[[Category:Primus]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass subgroups]]
[[Category:Subgroups]]
[[Category:Thirteen| ]]
[[Category:TransTech]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron subgroups]]

Thirteen

2018-10-10T20:54:36Z

BumbleBeeCee: /* Covenant Thirteen */

{{disambig3|Thirteen}}
[[File:Original13.jpg|center|upright=2.8|thumb|Guess the one on fire!]]

{{quote|We are the 13, the first, the forgotten, each of us serving a function vital to the survival of the universe. Each of us designated a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] and given a function to serve during the long march of infinity.|[[Vector Prime]]|"[[Vector Prime: In the Beginning]]"}}

The '''Thirteen''' are the first [[Transformer]]s created by [[Primus]]. Rightfully huge and powerful, each was designated a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]],<ref>A Hasbro Q&A response would later try to alter this. See Notes above.</ref> and given unique roles and natures to battle Primus's ancient foe [[Unicron]].

==Conceptual history==
[[File:BW Covenant.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Covenant (group)|Covenant]] shares a very similar base concept with the Thirteen, and may have been the original inspiration for them.]]
The concept of the Thirteen has only been around for about a third of the Transformers brand's thirty-year history, and the slow drip-feeding of information that characterized the early stages of their story was not been presented in a very linear manner. The development of the concept is described in this section to minimize confusion; for details of their history and actions in specific bits of fiction, see below.

The very earliest seeds of the Thirteen can probably be found in material produced by [[3H Productions]] for [[BotCon]], most notably 1999's "[[Covenant (story)|Covenant]]". This story introduces the undeniably similar concept of the [[Covenant (group)|Covenant]], a group of twelve zodiac-themed robots who are the first creations of [[Primus]], created as a test-run for the Transformer race. Despite the basic similarity between the Covenant and the Thirteen, though, the two groups were not connected until 2015, and those same stories by 3H would ultimately contradict the later lore of the Thirteen by introducing [[Primon]], a Matrix-bearer who preceded [[Prima]], which should not be possible. (That 2015 connection was an October entry for "[[Ask Vector Prime]]", which flagged up that nobody in-universe knew if the Covenant had a link to the Thirteen and that they may just be stories the Thirteen tell themselves.)

[[File:Vectorprimeut.jpg|thumb|[[Fun Publications]] established [[Vector Prime]] to be a member of the Thirteen in 2005.]]

It was in the pages of 2004's ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' that the mysterious "Thirteen Original Transformers" were first spoken of, and their basic origin was laid down: they were the first Transformers created by Primus to battle Unicron, and their number included Prima, the first [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-bearer from the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel Comics series]] and [[The Fallen]], an enigmatic servant of Unicron from [[Dreamwave Productions]]' 2003 comic, ''[[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|War Within: The Dark Ages]]''. The book also noted that if ''[[Alignment]]'' had been published, the [[Liege Maximo]], an ancient evil [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] from the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comics]], would have been counted among them as well (retroactively, of course, since ''Alignment'' predated the idea of the Thirteen). The book also contained a passing mention that the enigmatic [[Maccadam|manager]] of [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]], a Cybertronian pub introduced in the UK Generation 1 Marvel Comics, was rumored to be one of the Thirteen (though it also admits that this could be a fabrication by the pub's drunken patrons). Not surprisingly, it was the creator of all four of these characters, [[Simon Furman]], who both wrote the guide and conceived the idea of the Thirteen.<ref>Simon Furman panel, BotCon 2012</ref> While it was Furman who also created the Covenant, it is not yet known whether or not he was deliberately drawing upon his old idea when he introduced the Thirteen in this book.

The concept of the Thirteen quietly bubbled under for the next year, until another element was added with the introduction of [[Vector Prime]] in 2005's ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' series. Although presented merely as a very ancient [[Autobot]] in the original Japanese version of the ''Cybertron'' cartoon, Hasbro envisioned him as one of the Thirteen, and writer [[Forest Lee]] made this explicit in [[Vector Prime: In the Beginning|the first story]] produced for the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]]. This story also introduced the idea that all of the Thirteen were [[Prime (rank)|Primes]], and that each had a specific function or purpose; Vector Prime's was stewardship of time, while a 2007 [[bio]] written for The Fallen's ''[[Titanium Series]]'' toy would later reveal he was the overseer of entropy. Between these two releases, in 2006, the short Japanese text story ''[[Beast Wars Reborn]]'' introduced [[Logos Prime]]; as a Japanese creation, his status among the Thirteen would be in question for years.

[[File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|left|thumb|Fun Publications also introduced the first [[combiner]], [[Nexus Prime]].]]

While it was not immediately apparent, Hasbro had put a plan in motion for the Thirteen with the Collectors' Club comic: across the next five years, five separate robots were introduced who were gradually revealed to be components of a combiner, Nexus Prime, who was one of the Thirteen. During this five-year span, the subject of the Thirteen often came up at BotCon Q&A sessions, during which the idea of them being [[multiversal singularity|multiversal singularities]] solidified—a concept which purported that across all the different [[universal stream]]s, only one incarnation of each of the Thirteen existed, moving between worlds. This idea would later be canonized with the pages of Fun Publications' comics.

Also during this time, current Transformers comic license holders [[IDW Publishing]] spoke often of a potential comic book mini-series about the Thirteen to be written by Simon Furman, but this was eventually nixed, with Furman noting in 2009 that this was because it had "become more of a [[Hasbro]] thing than an IDW thing."<ref>[http://hombreimaginario.deviantart.com/art/Interviews-10-Simon-Furman-130246343 Furman talks about the Thirteen in an interview on DeviantArt]</ref> Hasbro's desire to control and fully conceptualize the story of the Thirteen was further made evident when, after [[Fun Publications]]' Nexus Prime story concluded in the same year, they effectively took "custody" of the character as part of their future plans. This control, however, was evidently not all-encompassing: also in 2009, The Fallen made a surprising appearance as the titular villain of the second-live action Transformers film, ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', where he was a member not of a group of thirteen, but only ''seven'' Primes. Hasbro's [[Hasbro Q&A/October 2009#AllSpark.com|October 2009 online Q&A]] retroactively justified this by explaining that while all the Thirteen were Primes, only seven actually had the word "Prime" ''in their names''.

[[File:TransformersVault-Prima.jpg|thumb|The new design for [[Prima]] was revealed at [[BotCon 2010]].]]

Eventually, in 2010, the grand scope of the new [[Aligned continuity family]] became the "delivery method" for Hasbro's long-percolating tale of the Thirteen. However, the "Aligned" continuity was also established to ''not'' be part of the multiverse in which all preceding Transformers fiction took place, which until then had lain the groundwork for the Thirteen. As such, the new information introduced by the Aligned continuity was only true for ''that'' continuity, and even chose to ignore or overrule some previous pieces of the story that had been revealed in "Multiverse" stories—The Fallen was given a much more tragic origin story that involved no connection to Unicron, Logos Prime was not included in the ranks of the "Aligned Thirteen", and [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] was named as a member of the Aligned group. From 2010 to 2013, various pieces of Aligned media—including the novels ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Exiles]]'', the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' cartoon, and the prose work ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus]]''—detailed in full the complete roster and history of the Thirteen in the Aligned Continuity, including many brand-new characters and events, which can all be read about further down this article.

In 2014, things got a little complicated when [[The Crucible|''Robots in Disguise'' #34]] introduced the Thirteen into IDW Publishing's Generation 1 continuity...except that the Thirteen involved in the story were not the "Multiverse Thirteen", but a version of the "Aligned Thirteen", with a backstory that did not match ''either'' incarnation. Over the course of the next year, the Q&A feature [[Ask Vector Prime]] worked to explain this, revealing that non-singularity versions of the Thirteen also exist within the multiverse, and that the "Aligned Thirteen" were one such example. The feature also revealed the remaining members of the "Multiverse Thirteen", which included a mixture of the new characters from the Aligned version of the group, and other characters drawn from Transformers history (including the [[Guiding Hand]], an entirely ''different'' group of forerunners to the Transformers introduced in IDW's comics). The completion of the roster was done as a "last hurrah" for the singularity version of the Thirteen—in 2015, the Collectors' Club comic storyline ''[[Another Light]]'' saw the Thirteen's existence as multiversal singularities nullified. Freed from the complex bounds of this concept, the story of the Thirteen is now free to be told any way, in any continuity, with membership freely able to differ across universes.
{{--}}

==Members==
Because of their complicated fictional natures, conceptual histories, and status as multiversal "archetypes", TFWiki.Net opts to break our standard rules a little and give most members of the group a single article that covers all different versions of that character, as opposed to separate articles (G1, Unicron Trilogy, Movie, etc...) for each incarnation.

===Covenant Thirteen===
[[File:OneShallRise1-WellofAllSparks.jpg|thumb|325px|"No, Harry, no! Don't look at the light!"]]
The first full lineup of the Thirteen was originally formalized for the [[Aligned continuity family]], and properly revealed in ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus]]''. The "Aligned Thirteen" were initially considered to be separate from the "Multiverse Thirteen", something backed up in fiction which described their [[universal stream|universal cluster]] as being previously separate from the multiverse, but the core list has since been widely used even in non-Aligned materials such as the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity]].

*'''[[Prima]]'''—The leader of the Thirteen, a warrior of light and the first [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix-bearer]] who wielded the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]].
*'''[[Vector Prime]]'''—The master of time and space, which he could manipulate through his [[Blades of Time]].
*'''[[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]]'''—Holder of the [[Quill]], which he uses to record the past, present, and future of Cybertron in the [[Covenant of Primus]] as part of his role as recordskeeper of the Primes.
*'''[[Solus Prime]]'''—The master artificer and creator of many of the Primes' weapons through use of her incredible [[Forge of Solus Prime|Forge]]. She was the first [[female Transformer|female Cybertronian]].
*'''[[Micronus Prime]]'''—The conscience of the Thirteen, and the first [[Mini-Con]], able to [[Powerlinx|link up with and enhance the power]] of his siblings through the use of his [[Chimera Stone]]; responsible for creating the alternate dimension of [[Microspace]].
*'''[[Alchemist Prime]]'''—Student of the elemental structure of the natural world, aided in this by his [[Lenses]], which allowed him to see further and deeper than anyone, in both material and spiritual senses; fond of the occasional tipple, with some claiming that he still walks Cybertron in the form of [[Maccadam|a humble bartender]].
*'''[[Nexus Prime]]'''—The first and greatest [[combiner]], granted the ability to divide himself into separate forms by his [[Enigma of Combination]]. Unpredictable, fascinated by change, and a lighthearted prankster.
*'''[[Onyx Prime]]'''—The first beast-form Cybertronian, a primitive and spiritual being able to view other times, places, souls, and even the afterlife through his three-faced [[Triptych Mask]].
*'''[[Amalgamous Prime]]'''—The joker of the Thirteen and the first [[Shifter]], unpredictable and easygoing. He was first Cybertronian with the ability of [[transformation]], granted him by his [[Transformation cog]], which became the basis for the cogs in all subsequent Transformer life.
*'''[[Quintus Prime]]'''—A daydreamer and perfectionist whose drive to express his ideas led him to become a scientist. His artifact was the [[Emberstone]], which gave him the ability to create life; the [[Quintesson]]s were among his creations.
*'''[[Liege Maximo]]'''—The "Prime of Lies", a black-hearted and amoral manipulator. Though his artifact was notionally the toxin-loaded [[Liegian Darts]], his real skill was his ability to talk others into his way of thinking.
*'''[[The Fallen]]'''—Once known as '''Megatronus''', guardian of entropy and wielder of the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]], the Fallen's name was stricken from history when the dark warrior turned on his siblings.

====The thirteenth Prime====
Though the twelve aforementioned members of the Thirteen have generally been consistent since their introduction, [[Thirteenth Prime|the thirteenth of their number]]—always in some way unique and special—has his nature vary between continuities, though he tends to have some connection to [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]].
*'''[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'''—In the Aligned continuity family, the Thirteenth was Optimus Prime, the mediator of the Primes, who united the Thirteen by being the first among them to raise an arm in greeting. He would subsequently be reincarnated as '''Orion Pax'''.
*'''[[The Arisen]]'''—In the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity]], the name of the mysterious thirteenth member of the group was not recorded in history, being only known as "the Arisen"; the [[Mistress of Flame]] believes he is [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]].
*In the "[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]", the [[Prime Master]] of the "legendary Thirteenth Prime" transforms into the core of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], allowing whoever bears the Matrix to take up his mantle.<ref name="POTPMatrix">Comments made by Hasbro representatives at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2017.</ref>

===Multiversal Thirteen===
[[File:AnotherLight-Thirteen.jpg|thumb|325px|Who are we? You'll never know!]]
Though the "multiversal Thirteen"—considered separate to the "Aligned Thirteen"—had almost half of their members revealed before any non-multiversal incarnation was ever mentioned, the remainder of their membership was unknown until a [[Ask Vector Prime/Facebook src#ThirteenList|June 2015 Facebook post]] from "[[Ask Vector Prime]]" listed off twelve of Vector Prime's siblings. The members known before then were:
*'''[[Prima]]'''—The first [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix-bearer]] and first Transformer born from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the leader of the Thirteen.<ref>''Sentinel Prime was one of a dynasty of Primes, stretching back to the original '''13 Transformers''' and their leader, Prima.'' — ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' (2005) 1st ed p15, "Sentinel Prime"</ref> He wielded the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]], a mighty blade capable of unparalleled destruction.
*'''[[Liege Maximo]]'''—A legendary schemer.<ref name="askvectorprime">[[Ask Vector Prime]] on Facebook</ref>
*'''[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]'''—Formerly the guardian of entropy, whose name was stricken from history when he betrayed his brothers and became a [[Herald of Unicron]] under the new name "'''The Fallen'''".<ref>''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]''</ref>
*'''[[Vector Prime]]'''—The guardian of space and time, who spent most of his life outside of reality, observing it and occasionally stepping in to help.
*'''[[Nexus Prime]]'''—The first combiner and the guardian of [[Rarified Energon]].
*'''[[Logos Prime]]'''—An enigmatic figure who, operating in the present day under the new name Soundblaster, sought to pass on his incredible powers over time and space to an heir.

To these Vector Prime added four of the ones invented by the Covenant:

*'''[[Alchemist Prime]]'''—Rumored to have established [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|a bar]] on modern Cybertron, seeking to provide a respite from endless war. <ref>In [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|''The Ultimate Guide'']], the enigmatic [[Maccadam]] was rumored to be a member of the Thirteen by drunken patrons of his bar. Vector Prime would later half-jokingly imply that Alchemist Prime amd Maccadam were the same individual, as described above. There's nothing that explicitly ''says'' they're the same, but... you know.</ref> <ref name="askvectorprime"/>
*'''[[Solus Prime]]'''—A renowned smith who wielded a powerful [[Forge of Solus Prime|Forge]].<ref name="askvectorprime"/>
*'''[[Micronus Prime]]'''—The progenitor of the [[Mini-Con]]s.<ref>[[Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist]]</ref>
*'''[[Onyx Prime]]'''—In-tune with nature and the organic.<ref name="askvectorprime"/>

And three other powerful figures from "Transformers" lore:

*'''[[Last Autobot|Autonomous Maximus]]'''—A lonely sentinel who renounced his name, becoming simply known as the Last Autobot.
*'''[[Solomus]]'''—A gentle and kind individual, who is instead in some universes a member of the [[Guiding Hand]].
*'''[[Epistemus]]'''—A Cybertronian of unconventional intellect, also sometimes of the Guiding Hand.

===Other members===
Particularly following the Shroud, certain realities include entirely different lineups of the Thirteen, which have included:
*'''[[Adaptus]]'''—Blessed with powers of change, ''also'' sometimes of the Guiding Hand; may or may not in some universes be the same individual as Amalgamous Prime.
*'''[[Mortilus]]'''—A solitary member of the Thirteen who stayed apart from the others, who was in some universes a member of the Guiding Hand.
*'''[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'''—A Prime known for his wisdom.<ref>''[[Transformers: Titans Return (cartoon)|Transformers: Titans Return]]'' episode 4, "[[Overlord and Emissary]]"</ref>

==Fiction==
===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Thefallen.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|No, seriously guys, is it just me, or is it hot in here?]]

[[The Fallen]] was thwarted in his attempt to sabotage [[Primus]]'s [[Cybertron (planet)|physical form]], and the Thirteen allegedly died after casting the Fallen and his master [[Unicron]] through a [[black hole]] into another dimension. In truth, the Fallen was imprisoned in another dimension, while [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] kept watch over the Transformers in the [[Well of All Sparks]] and Primus entered his eternal sleep to hide from Unicron. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}}

After [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)#Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Megatron]] were lost in a [[space bridge]] explosion, the Fallen was free from his prison in [[Transwarp|underspace]], and returned to Cybertron. He immediately set about trying to undo the [[Seal of Primus]] that locked the Well of All Sparks. However, upon his success, the Fallen was promptly destroyed by his reawoken creator. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages}}

{{Unreleased DW G1 comic}}
In the present day, Jetfire discovered that Shockwave had broken the Seal for his cloning experiments. The Fallen's essence escaped and corrupted [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], and following his death, passed into Jetfire. This corruption caused Jetfire to be plagued by many visions, among them The Fallen beating down his brethren in an ancient battle. {{storylink|The Enemy Within}}

'''Known members:'''
*[[Prima]]
*[[The Fallen]]
*[[Maccadam]] (rumored)

===Fun Publications===
[[Vector Prime]] aided the [[Autobot]]s in finding the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s to close the [[Unicron Singularity]]. He regularly reported their progress to [[Alpha Trion (Energon)|Alpha Trion]], but during one visit Unicron's servants [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]] and [[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|Nemesis Prime]] attacked. {{storylink|Balancing Act}} [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]] came to Cybertron looking for clues to his past, only to be attacked by [[Scorponok (Energon)|Dark Scorponok]], {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 2}} but his forcefield protected him. Ramjet offered him clues to his past in exchange for his <s>soul</s> service. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 3}} They went to Primus's spark core to destroy him with the [[Dead Matrix]], but Vector and [[Sentinel Maximus]] fought back. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 4}} Ramjet said he would stop trying to kill Primus if Vector aided them in restoring the balance by resurrecting Unicron, but he refused. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Pt 5}} Skyfall tried to save Ramjet but his forcefield only ignited an explosion that killed Ramjet. {{storylink|Revelations Part 1}} Vector had drones repair Skyfall and found [[Omega Prime]]—the creation of one of Trion's [[Viron]] counterparts—had helped Sentinel defeated Nemesis. Omega's presence saddened Vector, as it confirmed the multiverse was falling apart, and he left for Earth. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}

Skyfall was helping Sentinel repair [[Vector Sigma]], when [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] informed him he had found a twenty-million-cycle-old carving of him and another bot. {{storylink|Revelations Part 4}} Immediately during a battle between [[Mini-Con]] Autobots and [[Decepticon]]s, Skyfall found [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]]. {{storylink|Revelations Part 5}} The two seemingly vanished when Unicron attacked, {{storylink|Revelations Part 6}} when they had been transported to [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]]'s universe, {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 1}} and the trio and went through a [[space bridge]] {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}} to find [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]] in [[Axiom Nexus]]. [[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]] and [[Silverbolt (TransTech)|Silverbolt]] introduced the trio to [[Alpha Trion (SG)|Alpha Trion]]. However, [[Shockwave (TransTech)|Shockwave]] had Breakaway quietly subdued and taken to his laboratory. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 1}} Skyfall and Landquake realized Breakaway was gone, but Alpha Trion told them to come with him if they wanted to rescue their brother from the evil [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTechs]]. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 2}} He explained he was not from this dimension and was part of a resistance movement, introducing them to Topspin, whose job was to transfer their [[lowtech]] followers' [[spark]]s into their TransTech counterparts. Realizing Topspin was one of their kin, Skyfall and Landquake agreed to help. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 3}} [[Nightscream (TransTech)|Nightscream]] found Breakaway was being held near the portal to Alpha Trion's dimension, {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 4}} and his acolytes attacked, rescuing Breakaway {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 5}} and entering the [[transwarp]] device. Alpha Trion explained to Skyfall he was the key to the reunification, and killed him as they entered [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|his universe]]. {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 6}}

[[File:Reunification5-arisenexusprime.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.95|"It's beautiful..." "Holy crap!" "It's perfect!" "This is the best thing!"]]
Despite his claim his was a peaceful world, Alpha Trion shot [[Downshift (SG)|Downshift]], and Breakaway realized Skyfall had been killed by an energy blade rather than shot from behind as the old Autobot claimed. Alpha Trion's troops arrived, took the four components and he proclaimed he would kill them all—as reunification still worked with one of them dead—and that his reign would begin. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 1}} Landquake manipulated the raw energon and used smokebombs to escape, with Topspin and Breakaway carrying Skyfall. Weeks later, after trying unsuccessfully to revive Skyfall, {{storylink|Reunification: Part 2}} the [[Quintesson]] [[Aquarius (SG)|Aquarius]] appeared to take them to [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 3}} Landquake explained their situation to the Decepticons, and Megatron asked [[Cyclonus (SG)|Cyclonus]] to bring [[Heatwave (Timelines)|Heatwave]], but then Cyclonus, revealing himself to be an agent of Alpha Trion, assassinated Megatron. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 4}} Breakaway suggested they use their powers to revive Megatron, and found themselves in a white space with Skyfall and Primus. They made their choice: [[Nexus Prime]] was reborn. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 5}} Nexus resurrected Megatron as Galvatron and defeated [[Omega Doom]]. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 6}} Using Galvatron's gift of the [[stellar spanner]], Nexus and Aquarius began dimension-hopping to find the shards of the [[Star Saber (Prima)|artifact]] he had been entrusted with, so he could complete his memories. While Nexus outlined the artifact's background to Aquarius, the faces of Vector Prime and [[The Fallen]] flashed through his mind. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 1}}

The TransTechs knew the [[Mini-Con]]s to be the children of [[Micronus Prime]] {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/09}} and early on in their history were threatened with an ultimately failed coup led by [[Jhiaxus (TransTech)|Jhiaxus]], a follower of the [[Liege Maximo]]. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/06}}

When the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]]s detected significant multiversal chaos resulting from negative polarity Primax Autobots [[Invasion (issue)|crossing over into a mirror universe]], they suspected that [[Rarified Energon]] was somehow involved. [[Rhinox (TransTech)|Rhinox]] was also aware of (correct) rumors that the Thirteen were involved with Rarified Energon. {{storylink|Invasion Prologue}} As part of their response to the multiversal chaos, the TransTechs deployed [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]] to prehistoric Shatteredverse Earth in order to keep the [[Origin Matrix]] out of evil hands. {{storylink|Invasion: Epilogue}}

After several unspecified adventures, Aquarius ended up in Axiom Nexus and took charge of a shard of the Star Saber from [[Chifumi Takahashi|a courier]]. In exchange, he promised to help her get home. {{storylink|Transformers I.Q.#issue 48|Transformers I.Q. last issue review}} To their surprise, however, they ended up on Shatteredverse Cybertron. It soon became obvious that Nexus had transported them there in order to receive the [[Origin Matrix]], the fifth and final piece, from [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], recently retrieved from prehistoric Shatteredverse Earth. {{storylink|Transformers I.Q.#issue 54|Transformers I.Q. trivia bonus #12}} {{storylink|Falling into Place}}

When he reunited the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] and the [[Terminus Blade]], Nexus Prime decided that he was going to return things to "how they used to be", {{storylink|Restoration}} and strengthened the walls between the various realities of the multiverse, which had the consequence of ending the existence of he and siblings as multiversal singularities. {{storylink|Out of the One, Many}}

'''Known members:'''
:''See "[[#Multiversal Thirteen|Multiversal Thirteen]]" above''

===''Beast Wars Reborn''===
[[File:Bwreborn text.jpg|thumb]]
The '''Ancients''' (エンシェント ''Enshento'') were the original clan of Transformers created by Primus before he became [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and possessed extraordinary powers over space and time. One of them, [[Logos Prime]], lost sight of his objective and memory of him faded away. {{Storylink|Planetfall (BWR)|Planetfall}} He would return under the name of Soundblaster, abducting [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] and [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] so he could apparently appoint Megatron as his successor. [[Vector Prime]] was sent by Primus to stop the plot and was taken aback when confronted with his fellow Ancient who he thought lost. {{Storylink|Master of the Game}} While Vector Prime and what remained of Logos Prime fought on the astral plane, Soundblaster revealed the [[Zeonomicon]], the key to his power, and had Optimus and Megatron hunt it down on [[Animatron]] to decide who would inherit his power. {{storylink|Planetfall (BWR)|Planetfall}}

'''Known members:'''
*[[Vector Prime]]
*[[Logos Prime]]

===Live-action film series===
{{main|Dynasty of Primes}}

[[File:ROTF-sixprimes.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|The Primes in the Matrix/Allspark/surreal part of Primus's imagination.]]
The Primes were the guardians of the [[AllSpark]], charged with replenishing it. They commanded [[Seeker (ROTF)|Seekers]] and [[Constructicon (ROTF)|workers]] to find stars and replenish the AllSpark with their energy. The Fallen began seeing himself as the AllSpark's chosen one and began destroying solar systems with sentient life to replenish the Cube. His brothers warned him not to do it again, so The Fallen tried it again on [[Earth]] to lure them. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 3|Tales of the Fallen #3}} The Fallen slaughtered all his brothers bar Prima himself, who gathered his brothers' lifeforce to trap The Fallen in his [[sarcophagus]]. Prima sacrificed himself to form a [[Tomb of the Primes|tomb]] with his brothers' bodies to hide the Matrix. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 4|Tales of the Fallen #4}}

A long time passed, and The Fallen was eventually dug up. From his prison, he pushed [[Megatron (Movie)|High Protector Megatron]] into forming the Decepticons. {{storylink|Defiance issue 2|Defiance #2}} Thousands of years later, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]], the sole surviving descendant of the Primes to survive The Fallen's rampage, {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen issue 3|Revenge of the Fallen #3}} had been killed. The Primes appeared to [[Sam Witwicky]], giving him the Matrix to revive Optimus, and Optimus avenged The Fallen's brothers by killing him. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

'''Known members:'''
*[[Prima]]
*[[The Fallen]]

{{note|The ''Revenge of the Fallen'' adaptations have thirteen Primes. While designs were made for twelve non-Fallen Prime heads, the finished film shows only seven Primes, and this change was followed in ''[[Transformers: Tales of the Fallen|Tales of the Fallen]]'' and [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|the Titan magazine]].}}

===Aligned continuity family===
[[File:OneShallRise1-TheThirteen.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|They're not a fan of direct lighting.]]

Seeing the endless stalemate between he and [[Unicron/Aligned|Unicron]], [[Primus]] created the Thirteen, warriors in the mould of himself and Unicron, to fight in his stead and introduce random variables. The Thirteen did indeed succeed in defeating Unicron but were infected with a touch of the Chaos-Bringer's darkness as a result of direct proximity to the Dark God.

Following Unicron's exile, the Primes began reshaping their world before the manipulations of [[Liege Maximo]] caused the group to descend into civil war. The skirmish claimed both Maximo and [[Solus Prime]]. [[Onyx Prime|Onyx]], [[Micronus Prime|Micronus]] and [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] chose to descend into the [[Core]] and join Primus so they could aid in the creation of the Cybertronian race with [[Prima]], [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Alchemist Prime]] remaining on Cybertron to act as stewards for the newborn species while [[Nexus Prime]] separated himself into separate individuals to live among the ordinary Cybertronians. [[Quintus Prime|Quintus]], [[Amalgamous Prime|Amalgamous]], [[Vector Prime]] and [[The Fallen]] left Cybertron outright.

Following the [[Great Cataclysm]], Prima and Alchemist Prime disappeared with Alpha Trion choosing to fall into obscurity. As a result, the Thirteen became little more than a myth in the new era. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|Covenant of Primus}}

What lore regarding the Primes survived into the pre-War era is that their war made "enemies of brothers, murderers of lovers, heroes of the insignificant, and cowards of the mighty". Allegiances formed and broke apart: Megatronus refused to bow before his brothers, and he believed he would be vindicated someday despite his destructive methods. The murder of one sent them across the stars, to battle among themselves for billions of cycles. Finally, there came a time when Prima had to relinquish the Matrix. Afterwards, the [[Covenant of Primus]] decreed Cybertron could only have one Prime at a time. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} The chamber of the [[Autobot High Council|High Council of Cybertron]] had statues depicting the Primes. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}}

[[File:OneShallRise1-Thirteenattack.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Three seconds of one episode made up for a lifetime of lack of Thirteen images.]]
[[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] remained on Cybertron, recording these events into the Covenant, and the Primes became myths doubted by [[Jazz (WFC)|some]]. Alpha Trion retreated into becoming the Archivist of the [[Hall of Records]] when [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]], the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]], and the [[Guilds of Cybertron]] ignored his protests about the [[caste system]]. The [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] did not bestow itself onto another until the unworthy Sentinel died, and [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] was imbued with it, while his nemesis had become known as [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]], who like his namesake had come to destroy that he believed in. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

During his travels across the galaxy, Optimus Prime encountered both [[Vector Prime|Vector]] and [[Nexus Prime]] both of whom expressed surprise that Alpha Trion still lived and wondered if any of their other brothers might still be alive. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

When Unicron stirred, Optimus Prime explained the history of the Thirteen to his human allies. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}}

Before Optimus Prime was to die, {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}} the Primes intercepted his [[spark]] and brought him to their [[Realm of the Primes|realm]]. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}}

After his death, Optimus was able to appear to Bumblebee when the Primes deemed the young bot's need was most dire. {{storylink|W.W.O.D.?}} As part of Optimus's training, Micronus challenged him to a test which resulted in him unlocking the capabilities of the [[Prime Decepticon Hunter]]. {{storylink|Out of Focus}} Though Optimus did not fully complete his training, he had six of the Primes in the [[Realm of the Primes]] send him to Earth to deal with the return of Megatronus, {{storylink|Battlegrounds, Part 1}} which he successfully accomplished with the aid of the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]]. {{storylink|Battlegrounds, Part 2}}

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Prima]]
*[[Vector Prime]]
*[[Alpha Trion]]
*[[Solus Prime]]
*[[Micronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime]]
*[[Onyx Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo]]
*[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]
*[[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]
}}
:''See "[[#Covenant Thirteen|Covenant Thirteen]]" above''
{{--}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:Heavy-TheThirteen.jpg|thumb|375px|"I think the Thirteen were blurry, that's the problem. It's not the artist's fault. The Primes were blurry, and that's extra scary to me. There were thirteen large, out-of-focus Transformers roaming Cybertron."]]
After the departure of the mythical [[Knights of Cybertron]], Cybertronian civilization, deprived of their benevolent guidance, descended once more into a primitive state of barbarism, with lesser tribal leaders carving out kingdoms and territories of their own. It was to this landscape that the [[Decepticon]] [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] was cast back in time by the destruction of his [[chronal drive]], and — after an encounter with a kindly shepherd named [[Onyx Prime|Onyx]] — realised from his extensive historical foreknowledge that he could study why Cybertronians inevitably fell to war by ensuring that history followed the path he knew that it must. As such, Shockwave murdered Onyx and took his identity as "Onyx Prime" in order to engineer the rise of the Thirteen Primes; his first act was to christen the most fearless member of Onyx's flock as "[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]", taking him on as a student.

Knowing that Megatronus's conquests would be the impetus for the founding of Cybertronian civilization, Shockwave allowed his pupil to run amok; {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} Megatronus thus began a new war of conquest to expand the [[Darklands]], annexing nearby regions such as the city of [[Protihex|Protohex]] and the [[Forgotten Plains]], murdering neighbouring ruler [[Septimus Prime]] and recruiting the fearsome twin [[gladiatorial combat|gladiators]] [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] and [[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]] to become his vanguards. Other tribal leaders who had arisen, including [[Alchemist Prime]], [[Vector Prime]], [[Solus Prime]], [[Nexus Prime]] and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], agreed in the face of Megatronus's conquests to work together, uniting their followers and founding a small village that they named "[[Crystal City]]." {{storylink|Origin Myths}}

[[File:OP18 Thirteen in Crystal City.jpg|thumb|left|375px|Ruling from an ivory tower. What could possibly go wrong?]]

While Megatronus's legions marched on Crystal City, the united Primes were bolstered by Onyx Prime and his ''other'' student, [[Liege Maximo]], {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} whose kingdom had been claimed by the Darklander advance. The two armies met in a battle that had the unexpected side effect of awakening three slumbering [[Titan (IDW)|Titan]]s — [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]], and [[Chela]] — from beneath Cybertron's surface, but while the armies were distracted by the arrival of the colossal beings, Onyx "realized" that their enemy was his "old friend" Megatronus. The two armies agreed to a truce, and all eight primes vowed to work together to rebuild and unify their planet. Having been enlightened on the value of myths and stories by Alpha Trion, Onyx Prime began telling tales of his own, inspiring Alchemist with legends of a "Chosen One" and dreaming up a new [[Autobot|insignia]] to commemorate their alliance — {{storylink|Origin Myths}} all, of course, based on his own knowledge of what the future held. The [[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|"Dark Cybertron" prophecy]] and idea of the Chosen One were specifically concocted to ensure [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]]'s future rise to power, as a "fool" like Starscream would not be able to see through Shockwave's machinations. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}

The eight original Primes were soon joined by five more, and over time Cybertron's inhabitants united under the banner of the [[Thirteen Tribes]], each Prime building a distinct civilization. {{storylink|The Crucible}} In this era of peace, the Liege Maximo was responsible for building and maintaining the alliance between the Thirteen; in honor of his feats, Liege Maximo's followers became known as skilled diplomats and negotiators. {{storylink|Heavy}} Each Prime commanded the loyalty of at least one [[Titan (IDW)|Titan]], {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} while the diminutive [[Titan Master]]s served as their heralds. {{storylink|White Heat}} Over the years, however, the decidedly mortal Primes had come to believe that they were inherently superior to other Cybertronians due to their powerful artifacts and historic feats; indeed, it was commonly held only another Prime could kill a Prime, though this was decidedly untrue. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} {{storylink|The Crucible}}

[[File:TheFirstWhoWasNamed-MegatronusKillsSolus.jpg|thumb|right|310px|Sephiroth, you jerk!]]
With Cybertron now in a "golden age", Onyx advised the Thirteen's leader [[Prima]] to spread Cybertron's "enlightenment" to other worlds, with their expedition — led by Onyx and Megatronus, with Alpha Trion accompanying them as recordskeeper — being the first to leave the planet since the Knights of Cybertron. However, their first planetary landing on the world of [[Antilla]] ended in a brutal conflict and the extinction of the native [[Antillan]]s, with Prima blaming Megatronus for the expedition's failure. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} {{storylink|Our Finest}} Liege Maximo, who (seeing helpful lies as more beneficient than harmful truths) had become increasingly manipulative and self-serving, {{storylink|Heavy}} acted on Onyx's orders to stoke Megatronus's resentment over this incident, leading him to attack Prima. Solus Prime intervened to save Prima's life, but Megatronus killed her with the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] that she had created.

Megatronus fled the planet, while Liege Maximo was captured by the Primes and imprisoned within his titan, [[Vigilem]], whom the other Titans deemed unworthy of remembrance and exiled into space. A repentant splinter of Liege Maximo's old tribe agreed to keep their former leader and his Titan permanently interred, renaming their dormant Titan "[[Vigilem|Carcer]]". {{storylink|Rubicon}} {{storylink|Heavy}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

The fallout from Maximo's betrayal sparked the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]], turning the tribes against one another in a planet-wide conflict. {{storylink|The Crucible}} Battle lines were drawn, but allegiances shifted throughout the war, necessitating betrayals and new alliances; Onyx initially allied with Micronus, {{storylink|White Heat}} but by ten million years ago, with the war drawing to a close, his tribe of [[beast mode]] Transformers had joined forces with Nexus Prime and his [[combiner]]s. Together, they raised a new army of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] using the [[Enigma of Combination]]. Disgusted by this fusion, [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] abandoned his post in Megatronus' army to slaughter the Headmasters to the last 'bot. {{storylink|Earthfall Chapter 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}}

Together, Onyx Prime and Prima hunted down Megatronus aboard Prima's Titan [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]], finding him on the planet [[Tsiehshi]]. Megatronus killed Prima before being slain by Onyx, his usefulness to Shockwave's machinations at an end; Emissary carried Prima's body to the stars, but Onyx ensured that he would crash on [[Elonia|a faraway planet]]. On returning, Onyx told Alpha Trion that Megatronus and Prima slew each other in final battle — the account of their deaths that he had learned from Trion in his youth. Megatronus's name was soon forgotten by history, and he became known only as "the Fallen". {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

Eventually, Galvatron tracked down and confronted Nexus Prime, obliterating the Prime with a single blast. Realizing that they were as mortal as any other Transformer, the remaining few Primes fled the planet for other worlds, with the exception of Alpha Trion. The war finally ended when Galvatron and [[Nova Prime|Nova Major]] famously routed the bestial hordes of [[Onyx Prime]] and, with Trion's aid and blessing, united the tribes as one planet under Nova '''Prime'''. Only Galvatron and Trion were left aware of what had happened to the Thirteen Primes; Alpha Trion simply let himself fade into the background of Cybertronian society, his true background as a Prime forgotten by the general populace. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

One way or another, the Thirteen departed Cybertron and vanished from history at around the same time that the thirteen Titans departed Cybertron, with the intent of founding new colonies elsewhere in the galaxy. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} Exact details are unclear, but the mythologies of several of these colony planets claim that the Primes, including [[Solus Prime]] and [[Onyx Prime]], had spearheaded the colonization missions themselves and subsequently left these newly settled worlds to their own devices. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} Either way, the developing civilizations on the colony worlds – cut off from Cybertron and the brutal injustices committed by Nova Prime and [[Nominus Prime|his]] [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|dubious]] [[Zeta Prime|successors]] – began deifying the Thirteen Primes, with some going so far as to worship any leader who wielded the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. The [[Way of Flame|dominant religion]] on [[Caminus]] exalted Solus Prime as the greatest of the Thirteen, {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} while the four tribes of [[Eukaris]] and their prophet [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] viewed Onyx Prime as a benevolent protector. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}}

The role that the original Primes had played in the establishment of Cybertronian society would eventually be immortalized on the silver screen in the "hella-racist" film, ''[[The Birth of Cybertron]]''. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|Dance Among the Shadows}} {{storylink|Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie}}

[[Micronus Prime]], master of [[Prion]], {{storylink|White Heat}} was known to have abandoned his native universe entirely after founding a colony of [[Mini-Con]]s. By the present day, his body lay dormant in the center of an alternate universe: the subatomic realm of [[Microspace]]. {{storylink|O Ship of State}} The ruler of Microspace, [[Baron Karza]] eventually {{i|enerchange}}d with Micronus and used the Prime's power to try and conquer the Earth, {{storylink|Wrath of Karza issue 1|Wrath of Karza #1}} only for [[Shazraella]] to use {{i|Time Traveler}} energy to separate the Prime from her husband and banish the Mini-Con through time. {{storylink|Wrath of Karza issue 5|Wrath of Karza #5}}

[[File:GhostStories-onyxprime.jpg|thumb|left|210px|"Stand and address your Almighty Tallest, Camien child."]]

The colony of [[Caminus]] detected a Cybertronian beacon emanating from the planet [[Antilla]] and sent three representatives to make contact with their ancestors. When they arrived, they found the planet to be a rusted wasteland ruled by Onyx Prime, who murdered [[Magrada]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} Following the expedition's return to Caminus, the [[Torchbearer]] [[Pyra Magna]] encountered Onyx Prime when an army of robotic beasts terrorized the inhabitants of [[Parvus Oppidum]] so they could retrieve a sample of [[Ore-4]]. The experience left her traumatized, but with time she realized that the Primes were not the divine entities that she had believed them to be and began preparing to take up arms against Primes should the need arise. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}} {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

In the modern day, [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] unknowingly sent the [[Regenesis]] ores off to what he believed were random suitable worlds, but were, thanks to his future self's time-travelling manipulations, worlds touched by the Thirteen. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

When Cybertron re-opened a [[space bridge|spacebridge]] link with Caminus after years of isolation, the [[Mistress of Flame]] believed that Optimus, wielding the Matrix of Leadership, was the legendary reincarnation of the Thirteenth Prime: a mysterious figure from Cybertron's past known as "[[the Arisen]]". {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 3: The Medium and the Message|The Medium and the Message}} Optimus's supposed divinity proved a double-edged sword as he grew increasingly bold and unilateral in his decision making; leaning on the faith of others to unconditionally support his choices, he wound up annexing Earth into the [[Council of Worlds]] and sparking an interplanetary diplomatic crisis. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}} [[Colonist Soldiers|New recruits]] from Caminus, Eukaris, [[Velocitron]], and [[Devisiun]] believed wholeheartedly in Optimus's status as one of the Thirteen and began wearing [[mouthplate]]s to better emulate their leader. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}}

Liege Maximo escaped from his imprisonment in Carcer in 2017, following a [[zombie]] Titan invasion on Cybertron. {{storylink|Rubicon}} The Camien [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] was released from prison by Cybertron's leader Starscream to hunt Maximo down, {{storylink|Heavy}} {{storylink|The Chosen One}} but Liege — who, by this point, had come to understand his master's decision to exile him aboard his loyal Titan — was found by Onyx, and brought with him in chains on his return to Cybertron. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} Liege was taken into custody while Optimus and the [[Council of Worlds]] entered negotiations with Onyx, but the Prime's manipulations caused infighting and chaos, as well as an explosion that killed Alpha Trion. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} With all of his plans falling into place, Shockwave discarded his "Onyx" identity, having no further use for it after he cast Optimus into the Crystal City singularity. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}

Though Shockwave was taken prisoner soon after, his machinations had forced all of Cybertron accept a bitter truth; the Thirteen had been nothing more than ordinary Cybertronians. Upon hearing [[Pyra Magna]] vocalize this, Shockwave claimed this acceptance had been part of his plan to render all faiths and beliefs on Cybertron meaningless in preparation for [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s arrival. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Prima]]
*[[Vector Prime]]
*[[Alpha Trion (G1)#IDW Generation 1 continuity|Alpha Trion]]
*[[Solus Prime]]
*[[Micronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime]]
*"[[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Onyx Prime]]"
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo]]
*[[The Fallen]]
*[[The Arisen]]
}}
:''See "[[#Covenant Thirteen|Covenant Thirteen]]" above''
{{--}}

===Olympian universe===
In certain universes, the Thirteen visited [[Greece]] in a time before human technology was advanced enough for them to assume vehicular disguises. Instead, twelve of their number dwelled on [[Mount Olympus]] and used [[holomatter]] avatars to interact with the natives, {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/20}} while [[Mortilus]] remained beneath the Earth with their ship, alongside his vassal [[Bruticus (RID)|Bruticus]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/08}}

As "quasi-humans", the Thirteen would become known to the local humans as the {{w|Twelve Olympians|gods of Olympus}}. [[Vector Prime]] was {{w|Hermes}}; the rage-filled [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] was {{w|Ares}}; the hard-working [[Solus Prime]] was {{w|Hephaestus}}; the wise [[Alpha Trion]] was {{w|Athena}}; the eldest of their number [[Prima]] was {{w|Zeus}}; his close ally [[Nexus Prime|Nexus Maximus]] was {{w|Hera}}; the nature-loving hunter [[Onyx Prime]] was {{w|Artemis}}; the hard-drinking [[Alchemist Prime]] was {{w|Dionysus}}; the vain and manipulative [[Liege Maximo]] was {{w|Aphrodite}}; the healer [[Last Autobot|Autonomous Prime]] was {{w|Apollo}}; the chaotic [[Adaptus]] was {{w|Poseidon}}; the solitary Mortilus was {{w|Hades}}; and the knowledge-sharing [[Epistemus]] was {{w|Demeter}}. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/20}} {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/08}}

As the Olympians, several of the Thirteen deviated from both their more common gender identities and their status as siblings; Vector considered Hades and Poseidon to be his uncles, {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/20}} and because of the animosity between Hephaestus and Aphrodite, Zeus decreed that they should be [[Transformer romance|bonded together]] to avoid further conflict (which only made things worse). Amongst the Thirteen's many experiences, Hades and Demeter quarrelled over a woman named [[Persephone]]; Vector would later note that as "quasi-humans" their conflicts were far more petty and frequent. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/08}}

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Vector Prime|Hermes]]
*[[The Fallen|Ares]]
*[[Solus Prime|Hephaestus]]
*[[Alpha Trion|Athena]]
*[[Prima|Zeus]]
*[[Nexus Prime|Hera]]
*[[Onyx Prime|Artemis]]
*[[Alchemist Prime|Dionysus]]
*[[Liege Maximo|Aphrodite]]
*[[Last Autobot|Apollo]]
*[[Adaptus|Poseidon]]
*[[Mortilus|Hades]]
*[[Epistemus|Demeter]]
}}

===''Power of the Primes'' marketing material===
The [[spark]]s of the original Primes were carried by the [[Prime Master]]s, diminutive Transformers who, when in spark mode, could unite with larger Transformers to grant them [[Prime Master/Combinations|the powers of the Primes]] to wield as they choose. To minimise unwanted attention from those who sought the power they held, the Prime Masters hid themselves inside special decoy armor, which cloaked their vast power from the outside world.

Rather than a Prime Master, the role of the Thirteenth Prime was held by whoever bore the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. <ref name="POTPMatrix"/> The Thirteenth Prime was, however, made into a Prime Master too, transforming into a core resembling the Matrix of Leadership.

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Prima|Prima Prime]]
*[[Vector Prime]]
*[[Alpha Trion]]
*[[Solus Prime]]
*[[Micronus]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime]]
*[[Onyx Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo]]
*[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]
*[[Thirteenth Prime|The Thirteeth]]
}}
:''See "[[#Covenant Thirteen|Covenant Thirteen]]" above''
{{--}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoon===
The combined knowledge of the Thirteen was hidden away in the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]]. In the wake of [[Solus Prime]]'s death at [[The Fallen|Megatronus]]'s hands, the remaining members chose to seal away the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] in [[Primal Swamp]], tasking a series of guardians with protecting it that culminated in [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}}

During a crisis, the [[Mistress of Flame]] prayed to Primus and the Thirteen for spiritual guidance and aid. {{storylink|Overlord and Emissary}}

'''Known members:'''
{{collist|3|
*[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Alpha Trion]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime]]
*[[Prima]]
*[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]
}}
{{note|The intro sequence to ''Power of the Primes'' shows the wheel of symbols representing the twelve Primes of the ''POTP'' marketing material; however, considering the anomalous presence of Sentinel, it's hard to take this as confirmation that those twelve are members of the Thirteen in-universe.}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*''Transformers: The Ultimate Guide'' asserts that all of the Thirteen were destroyed in the early battle between Primus and Unicron, but the statement was disproven by the book itself, since it recounted how The Fallen was not destroyed but exiled to a transdimensional prison from which he later escaped. Fun Publications comics would later depict Vector Prime as the sole surviving member of the Thirteen, and then go on to introduce Nexus Prime as a co-survivor alongside him.
*In Hasbro Q&A on October, 2009 from [http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63609 ''The Allspark Forum''], The Thirteen are referred to as "the Original Epic Warriors of Cybertron" by Hasbro.
*The notion of the Primes being originally huge is similar to early ''Revenge of the Fallen'' concepts where the Fallen dwarfed Optimus and was almost the size of a pyramid, as evident from [[Defiance issue 4|''Defiance'' #4]] and the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (novel)|novelization]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Saisho no Jūsannin no Prime''' (最初の13人のプライム, "Original 13 Primes")

==References==
<references/>

{{Thirteen}}
{{IDWPrimes nav}}

[[Category:Classics subgroups]]
[[Category:Cybertron subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 1 subgroups]]
[[Category:IDW Generation 1 subgroups]]
[[Category:Prime subgroups]]
[[Category:Primus]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass subgroups]]
[[Category:Subgroups]]
[[Category:Thirteen| ]]
[[Category:TransTech]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron subgroups]]