Thirteen Primes
Encyclopedia
In the fictional Transformers universe, there were Thirteen Primes created by the Transformer deity Primus
before he went on to create the rest of the Transformers race. In the live-action movie series
, they were created by the All Spark, and were called the "Dynasty of Primes".
experimented with a group of twelve robots known as the Covenant
. Based on the zodiac
, these twelve robots were: Leonicus (leader), Aries, Piscor, Libras, Scorpius, Aquator, Taurotron, Cancix, Geminator, Sagittarii, Virgol and Capricurn. They existed in secret training for the Omega Point. The Omega Point was a potential event that Unicron would attack at a point that there was no Prime. After the Omega Point, time was reverted and the instance never happened.
Primus later created a group of thirteen Transformers, each with special powers, to fight against Unicron. This is the basic, communal origin for Cybertron and the Transformers across many continuities. Although the 2009 movie has The Fallen as the main villain, it does not seem to follow the Primus creation story. Like Primus and Unicron, each of the thirteen are multiversal singularities - one entity throughout reality. During their first big battle against Unicron, many of the 13 were killed and the Fallen was drawn into a black hole, where he remained trapped in a lower dimensional level.
, there were seven original Transformers who formed the "Dynasty of Primes", scattering throughout the galaxy looking for planets where they could build Sun Harvesters. These Sun Harvesters, powered by the Matrix of Leadership, were capable of harvesting a sun's energy to produce Energon. The Dynasty of Primes had one rule: Sun Harvesters were not to be used in solar systems containing life. The Fallen, ignoring this rule, arrived on Earth 17,000 BC and started building a new Sun Harvester with other Cybertronians.
This sparked a war, with the Fallen defeated by the rest of the Dynasty of Primes as they sacrificed themselves to seal the Matrix. When Sam dies, he has a vision of the Dynasty and they tell him he has earned the Matrix and this was always his destiny. The Dynasty then resurrects Sam, who in turn brings back Optimus Prime
. Optimus then kills the Fallen.
. Alpha Trion
was the only one still remaining on Cybertron. The Matrix of Leadership was once the jewel in the hilt of Prima's Star Saber
, and Sentinel Prime
once bore the sigil of Vector Prime
.
In Transformers: Exiles
, the following members of the Thirteen were mentioned - Solus Prime, Nexus Prime, Megatronus Prime, the Liege Maximo, and Amalgamous Prime. Optimus meets with a holographic representation of Solus Prime, before meeting with Vector Prime in a pocket dimension created by said Prime, and later encounters Nexus Prime, who briefly gives him the Star Saber
so that he can battle Megatron's forces, who had come to briefly possess the Requiem Blaster
. Alpha Trion's chronicles in the Covenant are interspersed throughout the novel, detailing events occurring on Cybertron since the departure of Optimus and Megatron into deep space as they search for the All-Spark. He is also responsible for Nexus Prime's brief reappearance, sending one of his component bodies, an Autobot named Chaindrive, to meet with a number of others who then recombine into Nexus.
was mentioned. It was later mentioned by Optimus Prime that the Thirteen Primes helped Primus defeat Unicron.
In another reality, Nexus hid the Cyber Caliber. After reviving to assist Optimus Prime, Nexus divided once again. The following five were given charge of the Cyber Caliber:
Primus (Transformers)
Primus is the "benevolent" godlike entity in the fictional Transformers comic universe who fought against the Chaos-Bringer Unicron. The Lord of the Light, Primus is the being who created the Transformers to help him defeat Unicron.-Primus and Unicron:...
before he went on to create the rest of the Transformers race. In the live-action movie series
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is a 2009 American science fiction-action film directed by Michael Bay and produced by Steven Spielberg. It is the sequel to the 2007 film Transformers and the second installment in the live-action Transformers series...
, they were created by the All Spark, and were called the "Dynasty of Primes".
History
Before going on to create the Transformer race, PrimusPrimus (Transformers)
Primus is the "benevolent" godlike entity in the fictional Transformers comic universe who fought against the Chaos-Bringer Unicron. The Lord of the Light, Primus is the being who created the Transformers to help him defeat Unicron.-Primus and Unicron:...
experimented with a group of twelve robots known as the Covenant
Covenant of Primus
The Covenant of Primus is both an artifact and a group of individuals from the Transformers universe.-Overview:The Covenant of Primus is best known as the name of the "holy text" of Transformers, their equivalent of the Bible, written in a manner similar to the Book of Revelation...
. Based on the zodiac
Zodiac
In astronomy, the zodiac is a circle of twelve 30° divisions of celestial longitude which are centred upon the ecliptic: the apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over the course of the year...
, these twelve robots were: Leonicus (leader), Aries, Piscor, Libras, Scorpius, Aquator, Taurotron, Cancix, Geminator, Sagittarii, Virgol and Capricurn. They existed in secret training for the Omega Point. The Omega Point was a potential event that Unicron would attack at a point that there was no Prime. After the Omega Point, time was reverted and the instance never happened.
Primus later created a group of thirteen Transformers, each with special powers, to fight against Unicron. This is the basic, communal origin for Cybertron and the Transformers across many continuities. Although the 2009 movie has The Fallen as the main villain, it does not seem to follow the Primus creation story. Like Primus and Unicron, each of the thirteen are multiversal singularities - one entity throughout reality. During their first big battle against Unicron, many of the 13 were killed and the Fallen was drawn into a black hole, where he remained trapped in a lower dimensional level.
Revenge of the Fallen
In Transformers: Revenge of the FallenTransformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is a 2009 American science fiction-action film directed by Michael Bay and produced by Steven Spielberg. It is the sequel to the 2007 film Transformers and the second installment in the live-action Transformers series...
, there were seven original Transformers who formed the "Dynasty of Primes", scattering throughout the galaxy looking for planets where they could build Sun Harvesters. These Sun Harvesters, powered by the Matrix of Leadership, were capable of harvesting a sun's energy to produce Energon. The Dynasty of Primes had one rule: Sun Harvesters were not to be used in solar systems containing life. The Fallen, ignoring this rule, arrived on Earth 17,000 BC and started building a new Sun Harvester with other Cybertronians.
This sparked a war, with the Fallen defeated by the rest of the Dynasty of Primes as they sacrificed themselves to seal the Matrix. When Sam dies, he has a vision of the Dynasty and they tell him he has earned the Matrix and this was always his destiny. The Dynasty then resurrects Sam, who in turn brings back Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...
. Optimus then kills the Fallen.
Novels
In Transformers: Exodus – The Official History of the War for Cybertron, the following of the Thirteen were mentioned - Prima, the Liege Maximo and Megatronus PrimeFallen (Transformers)
The Fallen is a fictional character in the Transformers universes. According to Hasbro, he was formerly known as Megatronus Prime, and is a multiversal singularity, meaning that while he exists across the multiverse, he has no alternate-universe counterpart.-Character history:Although the Fallen's...
. Alpha Trion
Alpha Trion
Alpha Trion is a fictional character in the various Transformers universes. Alpha Trion is one of the Thirteen Primes, thus all his portrayals are considered to be the same individual. He is generally depicted as an ancient mechanoid with a link to Optimus Prime...
was the only one still remaining on Cybertron. The Matrix of Leadership was once the jewel in the hilt of Prima's Star Saber
Star Saber
Star Saber is the name of several fictional characters and also a legendary weapon in the Transformers toyline. He is the protagonist in the Japanese exclusive series Transformers: Victory.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, and Sentinel Prime
Sentinel Prime
Sentinel Prime is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series. First mention of Sentinel Prime was in issue #65 of the US Marvel Comics Transformers series, where he was mentioned to hold the Autobot Matrix of Leadership before Optimus Prime. Sentinel Prime has since...
once bore the sigil of Vector Prime
Vector Prime (Transformers)
Vector Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers: Cybertron toyline, animated series and comics. In fiction he is an ancient Autobot, one of the first ever created, with powers over time and space, and turns into a spaceship...
.
In Transformers: Exiles
Transformers: Exiles
Transformers: Exiles is a fantasy-adventure novel by Alexander C. Irvine. Transformers: Exiles is the sequel to Transformers: Exodus – The Official History of the War for Cybertron, and is a possible prequel to Transformers: Prime.-Synopsis:...
, the following members of the Thirteen were mentioned - Solus Prime, Nexus Prime, Megatronus Prime, the Liege Maximo, and Amalgamous Prime. Optimus meets with a holographic representation of Solus Prime, before meeting with Vector Prime in a pocket dimension created by said Prime, and later encounters Nexus Prime, who briefly gives him the Star Saber
Star Saber
Star Saber is the name of several fictional characters and also a legendary weapon in the Transformers toyline. He is the protagonist in the Japanese exclusive series Transformers: Victory.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
so that he can battle Megatron's forces, who had come to briefly possess the Requiem Blaster
Requiem Blaster
The Requiem Blaster is a fictional device in the Transformers series. Its physical form in some of the Transformers continuities resembles the laser rifle wielded by Optimus Prime in the Generation One era cartoons and comics.-Transformers: Armada:right|thumb|The Requiem Blaster toyFormed from the...
. Alpha Trion's chronicles in the Covenant are interspersed throughout the novel, detailing events occurring on Cybertron since the departure of Optimus and Megatron into deep space as they search for the All-Spark. He is also responsible for Nexus Prime's brief reappearance, sending one of his component bodies, an Autobot named Chaindrive, to meet with a number of others who then recombine into Nexus.
Animated Series
The FallenFallen (Transformers)
The Fallen is a fictional character in the Transformers universes. According to Hasbro, he was formerly known as Megatronus Prime, and is a multiversal singularity, meaning that while he exists across the multiverse, he has no alternate-universe counterpart.-Character history:Although the Fallen's...
was mentioned. It was later mentioned by Optimus Prime that the Thirteen Primes helped Primus defeat Unicron.
Members
Not all of the Thirteen have been identified - the only Transformers explicitly named as part of the group are:- Prima, the very first Transformer born from Cybertron. The leader of the Thirteen, called the Warrior of Light. Originally wielded the Star SaberStar SaberStar Saber is the name of several fictional characters and also a legendary weapon in the Transformers toyline. He is the protagonist in the Japanese exclusive series Transformers: Victory.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
before it was broken up, and was the first bearer of the Matrix of Leadership. - Vector PrimeVector Prime (Transformers)Vector Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers: Cybertron toyline, animated series and comics. In fiction he is an ancient Autobot, one of the first ever created, with powers over time and space, and turns into a spaceship...
, guardian of time and space. - Megatronus PrimeFallen (Transformers)The Fallen is a fictional character in the Transformers universes. According to Hasbro, he was formerly known as Megatronus Prime, and is a multiversal singularity, meaning that while he exists across the multiverse, he has no alternate-universe counterpart.-Character history:Although the Fallen's...
, later known as "the Fallen". The guardian of entropy, and called the Warrior of Darkness, in contrast to Prima. - Nexus Prime, the guardian of Rarified Energon. Nicknamed "the Wizard of Forms," he is the archetype of combiner Transformers. Nexus is said to have had a relationship (possibly a romance) with Solus Prime, which earned him the hatred of the Fallen and the Liege Maximo. In one reality, Nexus agreed to have Alpha Trion and Vector Prime divide him into five pieces, each piece becoming a separate Transformer and carrying a fragment of the Star Saber. The five Transformers he was divided into were:
- Breakaway, guardian of the Caretaker in the 2006 Classics toyline.
- Heatwave, a Decepticon from the Shattered Glass franchise.
- Landquake, a Decepticon from the Transformers: CybertronTransformers: CybertronTransformers: Cybertron, known in Japan originally as , is the 2005-2007 Transformers toy line and animated series, another co-production between Hasbro and Takara...
universe. - Skyfall, a Velocitronian.
- TopspinTopspin (Transformers)Topspin is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers universes. Due to legal issues, later incarnations of the character are called Autobot Topspin.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, a Cybertronian in the Generation 2 timeline.
In another reality, Nexus hid the Cyber Caliber. After reviving to assist Optimus Prime, Nexus divided once again. The following five were given charge of the Cyber Caliber:
-
- Clocker, a Velocitronian from Transformers: Exiles.
- Mainspring, a Velocitronian from Transformers: Exiles.
- Chaindrive, a Cybertronian sent by Alpha Trion to join Optimus at the Tomb of Solus from Transformers: Exiles.
- Pinion, a Junkion from Transformers: Exiles.
- Cannonspring, a Junkion from Transformers: Exiles.
- Alpha TrionAlpha TrionAlpha Trion is a fictional character in the various Transformers universes. Alpha Trion is one of the Thirteen Primes, thus all his portrayals are considered to be the same individual. He is generally depicted as an ancient mechanoid with a link to Optimus Prime...
, the chronicler. He maintains a close relationship with PrimusPrimus (Transformers)Primus is the "benevolent" godlike entity in the fictional Transformers comic universe who fought against the Chaos-Bringer Unicron. The Lord of the Light, Primus is the being who created the Transformers to help him defeat Unicron.-Primus and Unicron:...
through Vector SigmaVector SigmaIn the fictional universe of the first Transformers animated series, Vector Sigma is the "mega-computer" that gives sentience to non-sentient robots, and is used by the Quintessons to endow their robotic creations with the true life that eventually leads to their rebellion...
. - Solus Prime, the weaponsmith. Creator of many of the various weapons and artifacts possessed by or relating to the Thirteen. The archetype for female Transformers. Wielded a hammer. Killed by an enraged Fallen; her tomb was later visited by Optimus Prime, where a hologram of her appeared and imparted advice.
- Amalgamous Prime, the trickster. Archetype of the "shapeshifter" sub-species Transformers, like MakeshiftMakeshift (Transformers)Makeshift is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers series, the latest one being a villainous Decepticon in the Transformers: Prime television series.-Transformers: Armada:...
. - Alchemist Prime; one of the last of the Thirteen to remain on Cybertron, helping to oversee the development of the Transformers race with Alpha Trion.
- One of the Thirteen is the archetype of Beast Mode Transformers.
- One of the Thirteen is the archetype of Minicons.
- The Liege Maximo, the ultimate evil counterforce of good. Considered more despicable than even the Fallen by Alpha Trion. He had a fierce rivalry with Nexus Prime. He fled into the stars, but was still pursued by Nexus.
Artifacts of the Primes
Known/referenced artifacts of the Thirteen Primes include:- The Star SaberStar SaberStar Saber is the name of several fictional characters and also a legendary weapon in the Transformers toyline. He is the protagonist in the Japanese exclusive series Transformers: Victory.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
- The Matrix of Leadership
- The Requiem BlasterRequiem BlasterThe Requiem Blaster is a fictional device in the Transformers series. Its physical form in some of the Transformers continuities resembles the laser rifle wielded by Optimus Prime in the Generation One era cartoons and comics.-Transformers: Armada:right|thumb|The Requiem Blaster toyFormed from the...
- The Blades of Time
- The Quill
- The Covenant of PrimusCovenant of PrimusThe Covenant of Primus is both an artifact and a group of individuals from the Transformers universe.-Overview:The Covenant of Primus is best known as the name of the "holy text" of Transformers, their equivalent of the Bible, written in a manner similar to the Book of Revelation...
- The Chimera Stone
- The Apex Armor
- The Proton Spear
- The Cyber Caliber - Note: the Cyber Caliber and the Star Saber may be the same weapon.
- The Chaos Edge
- The Omni Saber
- The Infinite Combinatoric