Vector Prime: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:CG-VectorPrime.jpg|left|thumb|200px|This additional weapon would have aided myself in the previous battle with the villianous Ramjet. What folly to not have used it!]] | [[Image:CG-VectorPrime.jpg|left|thumb|200px|This additional weapon would have aided myself in the previous battle with the villianous Ramjet. What folly to not have used it!]] | ||
When Vector Prime discovered that [[Unicron]]'s destruction had resulted in a [[Unicron_Singularity|black hole]] that threatened existence itself, his role as Guardian of Time and Space compelled him to set forth to fix it using the Omega Lock and the four Cyber Planet Keys, forged from the spark of Primus himself. Of course, the fact that these ancient artifacts were lost several million years ago presented certain problems. As a result, he returned to Cyberton in an attempt to enlist some help, and encountered the charismatic [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], who tricked Vector Prime into handing over the Planet Map to the [[Decepticons]]. Immediately thereafter, Vector Prime realized the Decepticons were actually kind of jerks, and joined the Autobots. Vector Prime was vital to the Autobot cause, as he could create small-scale [[Space Bridge|Space Bridges]] with his sword, as well as force fields with the aid of his Universal Cyber Key. On one occasion, when Megatron killed | When Vector Prime discovered that [[Unicron]]'s destruction had resulted in a [[Unicron_Singularity|black hole]] that threatened existence itself, his role as Guardian of Time and Space compelled him to set forth to fix it using the Omega Lock and the four Cyber Planet Keys, forged from the spark of Primus himself. Of course, the fact that these ancient artifacts were lost several million years ago presented certain problems. As a result, he returned to Cyberton in an attempt to enlist some help, and encountered the charismatic [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], who tricked Vector Prime into handing over the Planet Map to the [[Decepticons]]. Immediately thereafter, Vector Prime realized the Decepticons were actually kind of jerks, and joined the Autobots. Vector Prime was vital to the Autobot cause, as he could create small-scale [[Space Bridge|Space Bridges]] with his sword, as well as force fields with the aid of his Universal Cyber Key. On one occasion, when Megatron killed Jolt, Six-Speed, and Reverb, Vector Prime turned back time to save them, although this caused him great strain. Later, he would find the Omega Lock in the spaceship [[Atlantis]], and get it back. | ||
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Revision as of 06:19, 12 July 2007
| The name or term "Prime" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Prime (disambiguation). |
- Vector Prime is an Autobot character in the Unicron Trilogy continuity family.
Vector Prime is Primus's appointed guardian of time and space. 25 million years old[1], the clockwork-covered Transformer is one of the 13 original Transformers. Despite his age, Vector Prime is very powerful, and can warp both space and time, though excessive use of this power can severely weaken him.
Vector Prime was once a holder of the Matrix of Leadership[2] before he left Cybertron to guard space and time, a lonely job which isolated him from Cybertronian culture for tens of millions of years. Though he has rejoined the timestream on occasion to protect it from large-scale dangers,[3] his extraordinary exile has left him emotionally, culturally, and politically disconnected from his race. He speaks in archaic terminology steeped in chivalry from an age long past and is unfamiliar with the Autobot/Decepticon war. Despite this disconnect, Vector Prime never forgets that these strange modern creatures are the reason he guards space and time so fiercely. It is the miracle of time that allows these precious lives to continue.
Vector Prime has a "Guardian Mini-Con" called Safeguard, and is also responsible for the Recon Mini-Con Team.
Fiction
Animated continuity
Fun Publications Cybertron comic
During the long dormancy of Primus and Unicron at the beginning of time, Vector Prime retreated from the march of history to prepare for when his skills would once again be called upon. From this isolation he watched the greatest victories and defeats of the Transformers race across the various timelines, intervening only when his hand was needed to preserve the balance of time. (For example, Vector Prime helped mend Generation 1 Optimus Prime and repair the timestorm that Predacon Megatron had unleashed in the Beast Wars.) However, the awakening of Primus and Unicron returned Vector Prime to active service, following the wake of Unicron across the multiverse to prevent or restore what damage the Dark God had inflicted with its contaminating presence.
After the Powerlinx Battles, Primus attempted to lock Unicron's essence away in the center of a newborn sun, but this plan backfired and the sun collapsed into a black hole, also known as the Unicron Singularity. This threatened the multiverse itself, so Vector Prime was called back to Cybertron to assist the Autobots in locating artifacts which would destroy the black hole.
During the Autobots' search, Vector Prime would routinely confer with Alpha Trion on their progress. During one such visit, Ramjet and Nemesis Prime, followers of Unicron, attacked them, heavily damaging Alpha Trion and destroying Vector Sigma. It was Ramjet's plan that Nemesis Prime would unleash his Dead Matrix to destroy their Creator, and so the two travelled to the chamber deep within Cybertron that housed Primus' essence. Vector Prime and Sentinel Maximus met and battled them there. Vector Prime and Ramjet's fight left the chamber and ended ultimately high above Cybertron. Though Vector Prime was able to defeat Ramjet and seal him away in another dimension, this act weakened him considerably. The guardian of space and time returned to the Autobots on Earth and left Cybertron in the care of Over-Run, a Mini-Con who had taken the reins of what remained of Vector Sigma.
Cybertron
Voice actor: Richard Newman (USA), Shô Hayami (Japan)
Special Attacks: Repulsion Field/Action Field, Time Relief
When Vector Prime discovered that Unicron's destruction had resulted in a black hole that threatened existence itself, his role as Guardian of Time and Space compelled him to set forth to fix it using the Omega Lock and the four Cyber Planet Keys, forged from the spark of Primus himself. Of course, the fact that these ancient artifacts were lost several million years ago presented certain problems. As a result, he returned to Cyberton in an attempt to enlist some help, and encountered the charismatic Megatron, who tricked Vector Prime into handing over the Planet Map to the Decepticons. Immediately thereafter, Vector Prime realized the Decepticons were actually kind of jerks, and joined the Autobots. Vector Prime was vital to the Autobot cause, as he could create small-scale Space Bridges with his sword, as well as force fields with the aid of his Universal Cyber Key. On one occasion, when Megatron killed Jolt, Six-Speed, and Reverb, Vector Prime turned back time to save them, although this caused him great strain. Later, he would find the Omega Lock in the spaceship Atlantis, and get it back.
 Spoiler warning: Plot details follow. of the next episode/issue in the series or 30 days after release, whichever is sooner |
In a heroic sacrifice, Vector Prime overloaded his time-travel powers to send the stranded Autobots back to a point before they arrived on Gigantion. Sadly, this incredible strain spelled the end of his physical existence, and he became One With Time Itself. He would not be seen again, but, from Beyond Time, he gave his sword to Optimus Prime in Prime's final battle with Galvatron.
In the "what happens to everybody after the show ended" scenes from the show's final episode, Vector Prime can be seen dueling with Galvatron in what is presumably a Battle of the Dead Guys somewhere in the Allspark.
Real world
At some undetermined point in Vector Prime's life, he took the time to answer a series of questions about himself, other Transformers, and the Transformers: Cybertron toyline in a recurring feature on Hasbro's official Transformers website called "Ask Vector Prime". Because of his mastery of time and space it is impossible to determine when exactly he visited -- or perhaps merely communicated with -- our universe, but it may have been during the course of events in the Cybertron animated series, as he answers questions regarding those events and other characters who he had not met before the series began. Alternatively, he may have answered the questions after the conclusion of the series from within the Allspark, which is known to be a dimensional nexus of sorts.
Toys
Cybertron
- Vector Prime (Voyager, 2005)
- Japanese ID number: GC-03
- First released in Japan, Vector Prime transforms into a large cybertronic space cruiser with "solar panel" wings, his shape seemingly taking cues from both the Beast Wars starship Axalon and the Star Wars Sith Infiltrator. His nosecone has a spring-loaded missile launcher at the tip. He is also one of the few early molds in the series to have Mini-Con Powerlinx plugs. Inserting his unique Cyber Planet Key in either mode activates electronic sounds. He comes with his Mini-Con partner Safeguard.
- Vector Prime has some significant differences between the Takara and Hasbro releases. Takara's release uses a matte gray plastic with a lighter, burgundy-tinted brown, uses firmer plastic for his clear-blue parts, and has more intricate paint applications. Hasbro's release has a higher-contrast color scheme of white with chocolate-brown, more flexible clear-blue plastic (for safety reasons), and less-intricate paint applications.
- Vector Prime vs Starscream (Multi-pack, 2005)
- The Vector Prime in this Toys 'R' Us exclusive set is identical to the regular-retail version, even though the Starscream is not only a mold not available at normal US retail, but is in an entirely new coloration not used for its Japanese release.
- Vector Prime (Legends of Cybertron, 2006)
- As part of the Legends of Cybertron line, Vector Prime is a miniature, heavily-simplified version of the Voyager-class toy, yet retaining much of the sculpted detailing. He was part of the third wave of product, the first wave to be sold outside of "market six" stores and in "big box" chains like Toys 'R' Us and K-Mart.
- Galaxy Force Vector Prime (Voyager, 2006)
- Not to be confused with the Galaxy Force release of Vector Prime, Galaxy Force Vector Prime is a matte gold redeco of Vector Prime released near the end of the Cybertron toyline. His transparent blue parts were changed to transparent orange, and he has the same number of paint applications as the original Cybertron Vector Prime toy.
- Vector Prime (Jollibee Kids Meal, 2007)
- Available exclusively form the Jollibee restaurant chain in the Phillipines, this small scale, extremely simplified version of Vector Prime was sold under the subline Transformers Cybertron Robot Blasters. Similar to the Legends of Cybertron version, the Robot Blasters Vector Prime has an even more simplified transformation sequence and less articulation and paint detailing. However he impressively retains a significant amount of Vector Prime's sculpted detailing.
Attacktix
- Vector Prime (Booster, 2006)
- Attacktix ID number: TF11
- Part of the first assortment of Attacktix Transformers-series Booster packs, Vector Prime is an "Ultra-Rare" 40-point Leader piece that uses a "shield missile" attack. His Special Power allows you to instantly remove up to two of your opponent's in-play Insecticons. Like all Boosters, he was available only in blindpacked sets with two pieces in each box, one Rare and one Super-Rare (your odds of getting a Vector are one in twelve).
- This version uses the Takara coloration of gray with a metallic burgundy; pictures of a more Hasbro-release-like white-and-brown redeco have been shown, but it is currently unknown how this version will be released.
Trivia/Notes
- "Vector Prime" was the originally proposed name for Sentinel Maximus, going so far as to be printed on Sentinel Maximus' shipping cases.
- According to the Hasbro panel at Botcon 2006, Vector Prime's head was largely based around the Autobot insignia. At one point in the design process, a flip-down battle mask identical to the Autobot symbol was proposed.
