Magnus (rank)

Magnus is a very high rank in the Animated Continuity family

Magnus is a higher rank than Prime and Minor among Autobots. It is similar to the original rank of "prime" for autobot leaders. The Magnus Hammer is passed on from each Magnus to the next (one day it will belong to Sentinel, creepy).

Animated
In animated since Prime is a common rank for not as important autobots, Magnus is a much higher rank for the supreme commander.

Most common is "Ultra" Magnus. However it was only shown that Magnus was a rank when Sentinel was told that he would "make a fine Magnus someday". So Sentinel is going to be the next Magnus when Ultra Magnus goes Offline. (hmm, Sentinel Magnus?)

Magnus is also the name of the tool of autobot leadership in animated, the "Magnus Hammer" which is supposedly given to each Magnus. It was stolen by Ratchet after saying that it is the property of Ultra Magnus, the current Magnus, not the Elite Guard and that he would keep it until he was repaired.

The hammer was later given to Optimus when he had to defeat the Lugnut Supremes.