The Quintessons are an ancient race of bizarre mechanoids, whose history and clandestine machinations are tied together with that of the various Transformer subspecies, along with connections to both Primus (Transformers) and Unicron. They prefer subtle manipulation combined with scheming and advanced technology over brute force; if the above doesn't work, they can fall back to their legions upon legions of deadly Sharkticons and Allicons or their fleets of battle-ready starships. Quintessons themselves have absolutely no fighting abilities whatsoever and are absolute cowards if they have nothing to hide behind. Quintessons are also known by their associated racial slur: squids.