Summary
- Transformers lore expands beyond Autobots and Decepticons to include various factions with unique intentions and impacts.
- From the fierce Autobot Aerialbots to the uncontrollable Decepticon Stunticons, Combiner teams play a pivotal role in battles.
- Mysterious factions like Quintessons and dangerous groups like Reapers add depth and complexity to theTransformers universe.
WhenTransformersfans hear the word “faction,” chances are two groups come to mind: Optimus Prime and the heroic Autobots, and Megatron and his villainous Decepticons. After all, it’s been these two groups that have remained at odds against one another regardless of theTransformersseries they’re in. However, fans would also be quick to realize that there are more factions in theTransformersuniverse beyond the two iconic groups.
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Newcomers to theTransformersfranchise might be surprised to learn that there are a multitude of otherTransformersfactions that have a stake in what’s to happen to the future of Cybertron as well as their fellow Transformers. Moreover, some of them have more power than fans would realize, and may even turn the tide of the war between Autobots and Decepticons should they choose a side.
Updated on November 25, 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam:WithTransformers Oneproviding fans of the hit franchise with a compelling origin story to the rivalry of Optimus Prime and Megatron,Transformersenthusiasts may slowly realize that Megatron despises Optimus Prime for reasons he thinks is suitably justifiable. AsTransformers Onedepicts Megatron’s eventual descent in a way that positions him as someone willing to go on a villainous path for his philosophy,Transformersfans may be able to look at Decepticons beyond their typical notion of wanting to just conquer Earth and destroy the Autobots. Fans who want to explore theTransformersfranchise further may want to get to know their major factions, such as the enigmatic Cybertronians that have come before Megatron and Optimus Prime as well as the Primes who supposedly created them.
22 Original Cybertronians
The Original Robots In Disguise
Despite the original Transformers being constantly connected to the Primes and the Thirteen, it’s interesting to note that even theOriginal Cybertronianshad different takes on their evolution in Cybertron throughout the franchise’s history. Theoriginal history of the Cybertronians were tied to the fifth-dimensional Quintessons, who initially developed consumer (eventually Autobots) and military (eventually Decepticons) slave robots who eventually developed Sentience and rebelled against their masters. As Primus is granted the ability to transform, he gave rise to the original Transformers.
Aside from origins tied to the Thirteen, the continuity had also inserted the enigmatic All-Spark into the picture. Instead of the Matrix of Leadersihp giving Transformers the ability to reproduce, it’s now the AllSpark that has become the mysterious cube capable of energizing the Sparks inside the living metal of Cybertron. Other origins of Cybertronian life include “atechnogenesis,” a cybernetic version of abiogenesis wherein the natural interactions of cogs and gears have eventually given rise to Transformers. InBeast Machines, it’s theorized that the mechanical Transformers had actually migrated to Cybertron, a planet originally filled with biological life that Transformers eventually copied.
21 Dynasty Of The Primes
Cybertron’s First Defense Against Unicron
While the original origin story of the Transformers in the firstTransformersseries are tied to Primus “freeing” Cybertronian slave bots from the grips of their Quintesson oppressors, the Marvel comics opted for a more mythological approach with theDynasty of the Primes. In their version, a long-spanning warbetween Primus and Unicronhad led Primus into “sealing” his essence into a planetoid that would eventually become Cybertron. Through his influence, he created the Transformers and gifted the first of them, a being named Prima, with a “genetic matrix” (Matrix of Leadership) that will enable them to reproduce.
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The evolution of the series would expand Prima’s origin into including a roster of pre-established Primes, each with a different purpose to fight Unicron. There was a formal roster of the Thirteen introduced inThe Covenant of Primus, where members are seen capable of tapping into time and space (Vector Prime), record all of time (Alpha Trion), link up and enhance others (Micronus Prime), combine with others (Nexus Prime), attain a beast form (Onyx Prime), and even the fallen guardian of entropy (Megatronus).
20 Aerialbots
1st Combining Special Autobot Team
While Combiners inTransformersare essentially more of a rare sub-species capable of fusing their bodies together, their allegiances also sparked the creation of teams within their respective factions. Among the Autobots are theAerialbots, essentially the first special Combiner team of the protagonists, who form the over-eager Superion.
Surprisingly enough, the Aerialbots were only formed afterthe Decepticons created their own Combiner team to fight the Autobots. It’s only thanks to Alpha Trion’s intervention that the Aerialbots managed to come to life, with their existence attributed to the mysterious ancient Transformer. In Generation 1 continuity, the Aerialbots’ Superion is often shown as being too goofy for his own good. However, the Aerialbots concept has also been carried over to various timelines, often with the implication that creating Superion via Combiners can turn the tide against impossible battles.
19 Stunticons
The Infamous Aggressive Decepticon Combiners
Perhaps among the first demonstrations of Megatron’s adaptability as a leader, theStunticonswere born out of a desire for the Decepticons to contend withthe Autobots in land-based combat. Taking the form of race cars, Megatron’s creations were brought to the supercomputer Vector Sigma to be given extremely hateful personalities. This unfortunately resulted in an infamously aggressive sub-team that even Megatron couldn’t control.
The Stunticons were originally the first Combiners in theTransformersseries, with their combined form Menasor having the same destructive personality, making them difficult to defeat. Regardless of the continuity, the Stunticons were known for their extreme aggression. This has also been used against them, as their hubris and tendency for internal bickering gives the Autobots a much-needed opening to disable Menasor, separate the Stunticons, and disable them entirely.
18 Terrorcons
Often Depicted As Ancient Or Elite Decepticons
While the menacing name "Terrorcons"already implies their association with the Decepticons, their existence inTransformerslore is unique in how they’re often associated with different origins and purposes. Perhaps the most famous iteration of the Terrorcons would be their Generation 1 counterpart, where their first appearance positioned them as a Combiner team to form Abominus. In this appearance, the Terrorcons often switched allegiances between the Decepticons and their creators, the Quintessons - both of whom are usually up to no good, involving the Terrorcons in complex plots (that often blow up in their faces).
Other iterations of the Terrorcons are rather unique in their nature and mission. For instance, the Terrorcons are Energon-manipulating Decepticons in theUnicorn Trilogy, while they are heroes in the reverse-alignmentShattered Glass. Meanwhile, the Terrorcons are an undead army inTransformers Prime, whereas they are Unicron’s enforcers in theRise of the Beastslive-action film.
17 Constructicons
The Original Combining Decepticons
When fans of theTransformersseries hear the term “combining Transformers,” theConstructiconsmay come to mind. Aside from being a part of the Combiners sub-group, the Constructicons were indeed the first of the fusing robots that Hasbro imported in 1985 from theDiaclonefranchise. After their introduction as special Combiners who can form the powerful Devastator, the Constructicons have become a staple sub-faction within the Decepticons throughout their incarnations.
For instance, Constructicons inEnergonare known as the powerful Construction Team, while they become a medic team in the reverse-alignment world ofShattered Glass.Some iterations also transformed Constructicons into smaller-sized Micromasters, like inin theUnicrontrilogy, and the more tragic Mini-Constructicons who were assistants of the Decepticon Ramjet.
16 Quintessons
Mysterious Intergalactic Traders Who Created The Transformers
In the originalTransformersseries, it’s revealed that the Transformers didn’t “naturally” blossom as technological marvels on Cybertron. Instead, they were actually creations of mysterious technological aliens known as theQuintessons - intergalactic traders who rely heavily on their manufactured machines to function as a society. As it turns out, the Quintessons originally created the Autobots as domestic robots and the Decepticons as soldiers. However, they were booted out of Cybertron by the Autobot A-3, who eventually became Alpha Trion - the oldest living Transformer.
After their ejection from Cybertron,the Quintessons spent the ensuing millions of years conspiring against their creations. While they are often defeated by the Transformers on both sides, Quintessons acrossTransformermedia follow a familiar pattern in their appearances: they demonstrate their business and political acumen in manipulating others to do their bidding, they create powerful robots who eventually betray them, and they always come back with another convoluted scheme.
15 NEST
Film Equivalent Of An Earth Defense Force
While not necessarily a faction with Cybertronians,NESTor Non-Biological Extraterrestrial Species Treaty is an interesting take on ahuman-ledTransformersfaction throughout the Bayverse continuity. In the canon, NEST was born as the result of the disbandment of Sector Seven, with spec ops soldiers from the US and the UK teaming up with Autobots in their efforts to fight Decepticons after the momentous battle of Mission City.
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What makes NEST an interesting faction to explore is the way it represents humanity when forced to immediately react to an extraterrestrial threat. Despite their success in defeating the Fallen, NEST’s control over alien technology made them a global power in the enforcement of human affairs. While disbanded after the Battle of Chicago, a splinter CIA group called Cemetery Wind started to assassinate both Autobots and Decepticons alike - an effort exacerbated by the Transformers-killing Transformers Reaction Force. NEST was reborn anew in humanity’s efforts in stopping the collision between Earth and Cybertron.
14 Earth Defense Command
Earth-Based Forces Against Evil Transformers
Perhaps the most comprehensive iteration of a human-led faction in theTransformersuniverse would beEarth Defense Command, a joint initiative by the planet’s nations to protect Earth from various Cybertronian threats. While similar in nature to NEST, the Earth Defense Command had more interactions with both Autobots and Decepticons throughoutvarious incarnations of theTransformersseries.
In the original cartoons, the EDC had numerous stations designed to monitor traffic throughout the Solar System and even integrate Cybertronian tech in human vehicles to keep up with Transformers in combat. Meanwhile, theGI Joe-relatedWings Universehad the EDC assist in building cyberfactories to create Transformers that are classified as citizens of Earth who eventually took sides in the Autobot-Decepticon War. Its iterations in both the “Generation One” versions of the Dreamwave and IDW comics had the EDC become the department in charge to improve Human-Autobot relations as well as prepare for Cybertronian threats.
13 Vehicons
Foot Soldiers Within The Decepticons
Perhaps the equivalent of Stormtroopers in theTransformersuniverse,Vehiconsare Cybertronians who mainly serve as Decepticon foot soldiers. They’re notable for their consistent black-purple color schemes, with sub-classes called Seekers sporting white-black-silver forms. Although their origins are relatively unknown, Vehicons have been shown to exist as early as the first war in Cybertron before the Cybertronians’ arrival on Earth.
Despite their intended purpose as cannon fodder for Decepticons, Vehicons boast some of the cooler alternate forms among Transformers. Vehicons often come as sleek sports cars, stealth tanks, heavily-armed helicopters, as well as jets.
