Vector Prime

The name or term "Prime" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Prime (disambiguation).

He gives a new meaning to the term "grandfather clock".

Vector Prime is Primus's appointed guardian of time and space. Though recorded history pegs him as 25 million years old, he has identified himself as 9 billion years old, making the clockwork-covered Transformer 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 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, 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.

Chinese name (Taiwan): Victor / Vector

Fiction

Cybertron comic

Hey, I can see THE DAWN OF MAN from here! Hi, Phil!

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.

Hey, we got swords. Let's parry.

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 cartoon

Voice actor: Richard Newman (English), Shô Hayami (Japanese), Joscha Fischer-Antze (German)

File:CG-VectorPrime.jpg

This additional weapon would have aided myself in the previous battle with the villainous Ramjet. What folly to not have used it!

Appearing in the skies over Cybertron, Vector Prime immediately made contact with Optimus Prime and his Autobot team, making them aware of the Cyber Planet Keys and how they could stop the black hole. As Vector Prime then synchronised his map of the keys’ locations to the current arrangement of the cosmos, he was approached by the evil Megatron, who exploited Vector Prime's diminished memory of the Autobot/Decepticon conflict and convinced him to hand over the map. Vector Prime realized his mistake too late, just as the other Autobots arrived to attack Megatron. The villain made good his escape, but not before his lieutenant Starscream caused Autobot warrior Landmine to be caught in the black hole’s gravitational pull, forcing Vector Prime to open a portal to save him, transporting him to Earth. Fallen

Vector Prime joined with Optimus Prime's Autobots in relocating to Earth in pursuit of Landmine, who had been befriended by three human children. Upon meeting these humans, Vector Prime recognised a symbol decorating the t-shirt of the female, Lori, as the pattern of the Omega Lock, the device that focused the power of the Cyber Planet Keys, and deduced that it lay in hiding somewhere on Earth. Further studies of duplicate patterns around the world failed to locate it, but did yield the co-ordinates of Velocitron, the Speed Planet, resting place of the first Cyber Planet Key. Later, the lock was apparently discovered buried in the desert; the battle had catastrophic consequences when a Decepticon attack killed the Mini-Cons, and Vector Prime drew on his powers for the first time in ages to rewind time and save their lives. Time The lock in question was proven to be a fake, but the genuine article was soon discovered and acquired by Vector Prime, the Mini-Cons and the humans aboard the Atlantis—an ancient Cybertronian spaceship that had crashed on Earth and inspired the legend of the sunken continent. Ship

Vector Prime subsequently journeyed to Velocitron to observe Hot Shot win the world’s Cyber Planet Key in a racing tournament, and then to the Jungle Planet, where he counselled Optimus Prime in his battles with world leader Scourge, leading to the acquisition of the second Cyber Planet Key. The third key, from Earth itself, was soon discovered, Optimus Prime battled Megatron for possession of the Lock and keys within Megatron's dimension. At Optimus's order, Vector Prime used his portal-generating abilities to collapse the dimension in upon itself, apparently destroying Megatron. Cybertron Megatron’s Unicronian armor sustained him, however, and he returned to Cybertron just as the Omega Lock was put in place and the planet transformed into Primus’s robot mode. Darkness

Vector Prime’s studies eventually revealed the location of the fourth Cyber Planet Key, on the Giant Planet of Gigantion, which had slipped through a space/time vortex into another universe. Both the Autobots and Decepticons raced for the key, but the Decepticons ultimately prevailed thanks to Megatron’s transformation into Galvatron, leaving the Autobots stranded on Gigantion. Guardian

However, as Vector Prime had already explained to the Autobots, since he had existed for most of his life outside of time, he would always exist there, able to observe the passage of time, even though he could now no longer enter the linear universe. He swore to always watch over Optimus Prime and the Autobots, and would be there for them in spirit when their need was greatest. The first of such moments came during Optimus Prime's pivtol moment within the black hole, as he appeared alongside the Autobot leader as he reached for the Omega Lock. End

Battling.. IN THE NEXT DIMENSION!

Subsequently, the black hole was sealed, but Galvatron was not yet through, and challenged Prime to a final one-on-one duel. During the battle, as Galvatron stood poised to deliver the final blow, Vector Prime's planet map flew from the pocket of the watching Bud and moved between the two combatants, blocking Galvatron's blow. Vector Prime spoke to Optimus once more, promising to always be there for him, and bestowing upon him the greatest of gifts—his own sword, Rhisling, with which Optimus Prime defeated and destroyed Galvatron once and for all. Unfinished Not long afterwards, as the Autobots departed on a mission across the universe to create a new space bridge, Vector Prime appeared to Optimus once more, smiling at his old friend. Beginning

Vector Prime dueled with Galvatron in an existence after death.

Kiss Players

"Scary-Faced Gear Man," she calls him.

As ShaoShao piloted Fortress Maximus in pursuit of a mysterious golden hand that had stolen a fragment of the Allspark, the flying fortress crashed into a wall of time, scattering its passengers through space, time and relative dimensions.

After a brief adventure on Primus's surface, Shao found herself face to face with Vector Prime, who informed her that he was a former guardian of time and space and that she was trapped in a parallel world. He used his sword to slash a hole between dimensions, from which the golden hand emerged and grabbed ShaoShao, pulling her through.

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. This may be the geekiest paragraph ever written by human hands.

Toys

Cybertron

I'm the Last Autobot's beiger cousin.

• Vector Prime (Voyager, 2005)
  • Japanese ID number: GC-03
  • Accessories: Sword, missile, Cyber Planet Key

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.

This mold was also used to create BotCon 2007 Alpha Trion.

• Vector Prime vs Starscream (Multi-pack, 2005)
  • Accessories: Sword, missile, Cyber Planet Key

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.

File:LOC VectorPrime.jpg

And I'm his poorer cousin who can't afford paint.

• 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 Kmart.

This mold was redecoed into Universe Scattershot.

Safeguard pimps his ride. Fo sho.

• Galaxy Force Vector Prime (Voyager, 2006)
  • Accessories: Sword, missile, Cyber Planet Key

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. The packaging photography shows the prototype as considerably more blinged out than the rather yellowish matte gold plastic actually used for the production run.

File:JollibeeVectorPrime toy.jpg

The Guardian of Shakes and Fries

• Vector Prime (Jollibee Kids Meal, 2007)

Available exclusively from 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)

Go ahead. Ask me again about how well I blend.

ID number:	TF11
Rarity:
Faction:	Autobot
Class:	Leader
Special:	Vengeance — 2525 (77%) success ratio
Point Cost:	40
Base Speed:	4
Attack Type:	Shooter (Energy Blast)

Part of the first assortment of Attacktix Transformers-series Booster packs, Vector Prime is one of the less stable shooters his size. He has three points of articulation (shoulders and waist) which you can use to put him in a more stable stance than his default, though it doesn't look very comfortable.

Vector Prime appears to have been created as the counterpart to the powerful Decepticon Scorponok figure. His Special Power is the antithesis of Scorponok's, allowing you to instantly remove up to two of your opponent's in-play Insecticons. Who knew Vector Prime hated Terrorcons so much?

This version uses the Takara coloration of gray with a metallic burgundy. Production pictures of a more Hasbro-release-like white-and-brown redeco have been shown, often used for publicity photos by Hasbro.

Universe (2008)

Last Autobot homage: Denied!

• Vector Prime with Mini-Con Safeguard! (Voyager, 2009)
  • Accessories: Sword, missile, Key, safeguard

Vector Prime is a part of the Universe "Cybertron Series" and is a redeco of the previous Cybertron release of Vector Prime, in black, brown and blue colors. Notably, this is the first Hasbro iteration of the figure to have painted wings like the Takara Galaxy Force version, as well as being the only version with a painted sword blade. Like Botcon exclusive Alpha Trion, sadly, he has been gutted of his electronic features, rendering the Cyber Key pointless. The battery compartment is riveted shut.

Notes

Vector Prime goes Super Saiyan.

• "Vector Prime" was the originally proposed name for Sentinel Maximus, going so far as to be printed on Sentinel Maximus's shipping cases.

• One of the earliest known sketches of Vector Prime gave him a vaguely Pharaonic head, making him look a fair bit like Giant Robo. This appears to have been coincidental, as Aaron Archer had no idea what Giant Robo was when questioned about it — although, to be fair, the sketch was not one Archer had done himself.

• 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. Also, he was originally going to have two swords, as seen in the image on the right.

• The "Galaxy Force Vector Prime" color scheme appears to have been inspired by a Gonzo CGI color mock-up done before Vector Prime's final coloration were decided. A Hasbro design chart showing this and other concepts was first seen at San Diego Comic-Con 2005, and was present at BotCon 2005 later that same year. The image also made an appearance during a slideshow at one of Hasbro's BotCon 2006 presentations, and in Galaxy Force Vector Prime's unlockable online Cyber Key content.

• Vector Prime's design has some similarity to the Last Autobot.

• Don Figueroa had a different interpretation of Vector Prime.

External links

• Vector Prime at TFU.info
• Ask Vector Prime archive at In Space, No One Can Hear Starscream