Energon crystal
Energon crystals are a powerful raw form of energon with the drawback that they are also extremely unstable. They emit radiation which can cause stasis lock in Transformers and is even potentially fatal to them. Energon crystals are highly explosive, more so even than energon cubes; they can be detonated by blunt impacts, fractures and even sudden temperature increases.
Fiction
Beast Wars cartoon
Megatron led the Predacons to Earth with the hope of finding energon, but the crystals were so powerful, the radiation from them threatened to extinguish the sparks of the Predacons and Maximals. To avoid death, both factions took beast modes to allow them to function outside their respective vessels, which had shielding systems to sufficiently protect them from the radiation. Beast Wars (Part 1) Sufficiently large deposits, such as the one the Predacons uncovered on a mountaintop, produced enough radiation to make it hazardous to switch to their robot modes. Beast Wars (Part 2)
Terrorsaur later found a mountain filled with extremely unstable energon crystals, causing it to float in the air. Although the mountain was destroyed by Optimus Primal and Rattrap, it did empower Terrorsaur enough to defeat Megatron…for a few nano-kliks. Power Surge An experiment by Megatron to increase the power of the crystals appeared to fail, but as this later turned out to be part of a ruse, it's unclear if Megatron had any success in his work. Victory
An exploding deposit of energon crystals blinded a group of energon-mining Maximals, and contaminated them with energon radiation. Dark Voyage Exploding crystals also proved effective in extracting Starscream from Waspinator's body. Possession
When the Vok, who seeded the energon on the planet, discovered the presence of the Maximals and Predacons, they attempted to destroy the planet by detonating the energon crystals with the Planet Buster. Optimus Primal managed to destroy the weapon with a stasis pod reconfigured by Tarantulas to serve as an escape pod, but the initial heatwave and subsequent Transwarp explosion caused the energon crystals in the area surrounding the Axalon and Darksyde to detonate or convert to energon cubes. Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2) This allowed the Maximals and Predacons to stay in robot mode for prolonged amounts of time without the effects of energon buildup.
Some crystals survived the destruction, Megatron was able to locate a cave full of them, but Tarantulas managed to manipulate events so he could use it as his lair. Tangled Web A small cluster of crystals near Rampage's stasis pod was destroyed during a battle, blasting the participants in all directions. Bad Spark Another cave containing crystals was destroyed by Inferno in a moment of insane self-destruction. The Agenda (Part 2) An abundance of them were located on the ocean floor near the Nemesis; however, they were presumably all destroyed by the explosion when Depth Charge killed Rampage. Nemesis Part 1
Prime cartoon
Raw Energon is naturally shaped as crystals Rock Bottom that must be processed into liquid form for consumption by Cybertronian life-forms and machines. Energon is stored and shipped in crystal cubes Masters & Students that are then processed into liquid form by an Energon converter, Hard Knocks or an Energon harvester. Deus ex Machina
When the Great War broke out, both Autobots and Decepticons seeded Energon crystals all across the galaxy for the sole reason of hiding them from the opposing forces. It is the reason why Energon deposits exist on alien planets such as Earth to be mined. Darkness Rising, Part 3 They were highly combustible and when detonated in bulk, created a large enough explosion to destroy a mountain. Hurt
On occasion, Energon deposits would be buried due to environmental shifts of the world they were planted on and were unmineable by conventional means. Deus ex Machina The largest of these deposits became known as an N.D.7 class. Out of His Head
Dark Energon also naturally formed in crystals identical in appearance (save the colour) to regular Energon crystals. Darkness Rising, Part 2 Like regular Energon, it had to be converted into cubes, Flying Mind or liquid form for consumption. Thirst Crystals were also the natural form of Red Energon, New Recruit which likewise had to be refined into liquid form for a Cybertronian to access its speed enhancing powers. Hard Knocks
2019 IDW continuity
When watching the Winged Moon with Rubble, Bumblebee informed his protege that the moon was inefficient at its job and that the harvest of energon crystals was a better way to fuel Cybertron. The World In Your Eyes Part Two
Games
Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)
Megatron X's body was made of crystallized energon. Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals
Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Warriors' Strongest Decisive Battle
A super-powerful energon crystal was found and Maximals and Predacons fought to assure control of the crystal. Its fate depended on the winner.
- Lio Convoy, determined to keep the crystal out of the wrong hands, sealed it away forever.
- Galvatron, after absorbing the crystal, grew mad with power and destroyed his own base.
- Scuba used the crystal's power to repair the environmental damage caused by the Predacons.
- Megastorm gloated to himself that with the power of the crystal, he would finally overcome Galvatron...only for his brother to steal the crystal right from under his nose.
- Cheetor, having used the crystal to become the most powerful of all Maximals, was promoted to Supreme Commander. However, he couldn't handle the responsibility required for the post, and ran away after only three days.
- Guiledart decided not to use the crystal right away. Believing that there is still a long time until the war ends, he kept it around as a future trump card.
- Optimus Primal used the crystal's power to defeat the Predacons once and for all, saving the universe!
- Megatron took the crystal and set out to defeat his eternal nemesis, Optimus Primal.
- Star Upper wanted to become strong under his own power and didn't use the crystal for anything.
- Artemis, blissfully ignorant of the crystal's power, found it really pretty and took it home to decorate her room with it. Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Warriors' Strongest Decisive Battle
