Mini-Cons are small Transformers who became the heart of Transformers: Armada (2002). On their own they are small and not very strong, but when they link up with larger Transformers they boost them dramatically.
Why they're hunted
In Armada's story the Mini-Cons once fled Cybertron so as not to be used as weapons, and fell asleep on Earth. When they begin to awaken, Autobots and Decepticons race to find more of them: every Mini-Con means a new ability, speed or firepower for its partner.
Mini-Con weapons
The best known are the three Mini-Cons that become legendary weapons: the Star Saber, the Skyboom Shield and the Requiem Blaster. Together they are tied to the awakening of Unicron, the series' main threat.
What they added
The Mini-Cons made Armada a story about how even the smallest can have a will of their own. Many eventually refuse to fight for anyone — and that becomes their strength. The idea of small partners returned in later toy lines and series.
