Pretenders (Transformers) Pretenders (Transformers) Pretenders is a subline within the Transformers toy line, introduced in 1988. The concept behind the toy was that the Transformers were capable of disguising their robotic forms through the use of synthetic organic outer shells. While the Autobots' outer shells all resemble human beings clad in armor, the Decepticons' shells are all in the form of monstrous animalistic creatures. The robot figure is contained entirely within the shell, invisible to the outsider observer. After the shell splits apart to release it, the shell can be recombined for a second figure. Although the first set of Pretenders was
Transformers: The Covenant of Primus Primus is an actual relic in the Transformers universe. This concept was first introduced in "Beast Wars", where the Covenant is regarded as a sacred text by the Transformers. Several passages of it are quoted in the series finale "Nemesis", and several are known to be modified Bible verses. From 1998 to 2000 the annual Transformers fan convention Botcon had exclusive storyline that included a group of characters known as the Covenant of Primus. This group consisted of Twelve pre-Cybertronian Transformers based on the Zodiac and created by Primus as a last resort defense against the return of his nemesis,