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Elita One (G1)

2009-09-09T07:14:35Z

Magnusalpha:

{{disambig3|Elita One}}
{{factions|autobot|quintesson}}
:''Elita One is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. She was once known as '''Ariel'''.''

[[Image:MCA-ElitaOne.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Elita YUM.]]
'''Elita One''' is the female counterpart to [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]; a powerful warrior, fearless in the face of her enemies, but compassionate to those who cannot defend themselves. She commands a squad of [[Female Autobots]], and has their undying trust and support.

While her pistol is powerful enough to blast [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] out of the air in one shot, her greatest power is her ability to briefly stop time. Sadly, this ability drains all of her [[Spark|life force]], and is almost assuredly fatal, and thus she only uses it in the most dire of situations.

When the situation calls for it, she consults the wise [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] via a holographic message machine. Alpha Trion is her creator, though this fact is unknown to her.

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 Cartoon===
:''Voice actress:'' [[Marlene Aragon]] (English), [[Samantha Newark]] (Ariel, English); [[Kazue Komiya]] (Japanese), [[Eiko Yamada]] (Ariel, Japanese)

[[Image:ArielWarDawn1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Robots with plunging necklines and ponytails... somehow.]]
Nine million years ago, during the [[Golden Age]] of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], there lived a robot named Ariel, a dockworker. She had heard stories that the new "[[Decepticon|flying robots]]" that Orion Pax, her boyfriend, and [[Dion]], their friend, admired had put together an army and attacked one of Cybertron's outer cities. Dion laughingly dismissed her as gullible, while Orion remarked that they had [[Guardian robot|Guardian robots]] to protect them, so that it wasn't of their concern.

One of those "flying robots", [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], raided the energy storage facility Ariel worked at with his [[Transport drone|transport drones]]. While Megatron was in the midst of an assault on Orion, Ariel ignored Dion's plea to not intefere and tried to stop him, only to be gunned down herself by the Decepticon.

[[Image:Elita one.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Optimus Prime's sister from the same transistor.]]
Fortunately for her, the time-lost [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] brought the deactivated Orion to [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] for repairs, who recreated the young robot as the first of Cybertron's new defenders — Optimus Prime. Optimus and the Aerialbots then asked Alpha Trion to try reconstructing Ariel too. After agreeing to send some droids for her, Alpha Trion mused to himself that "Elita One" would be a [[Renaming|good name]] for a female warrior. {{storylink|War Dawn|War Dawn}}

Five million years later, Elita One, wanting to go with Optimus, tried to board the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot starship]] as it took off on its mission to search for energy, but she was seemingly destroyed while the ship was attacked during takeoff. {{storylink|The Search for Alpha Trion|The Search for Alpha Trion}}

{{Note|In the original pilot, the Ark did not appear to be under attack as it launched. The Ark being attacked and Elita One's presence as it took off constitutes a [[retcon]].}}

[[Image:G1 Prime Elita energy transfer.JPG|left|thumb|250px|Waw chikka bow bow, chikka chikka...]]

But Elita One did not perish. About four million years later, she was in command of a team of [[Female Autobots|six Autobots]], who had been raiding [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] supplies in secret for an unknown length of time. Their existence was revealed thanks to [[Moonracer]]'s carelessness, which subsequently led to Elita One's capture by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and the destruction of their secret base by [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]].

Elita was then used as bait to lure Optimus Prime into a trap, where he too was captured and was soon on the block for execution in a vat of acid. Desperate to save her beloved, Elita triggered her time-stopping power, which allowed her to save Prime... but expended nearly all her life-force doing so.

After getting them both out of Decepticon Headquarters, Optimus was able to track Alpha Trion to his secret base. The ancient Autobot repaired Elita to the best of his ability, but revealed to Optimus Prime that only '''he''' could save Elita by interfacing to her with his power filter. An astonished Optimus Prime stated that only his CREATOR could know that!

[[Image:ElitaVehicle01.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Yeah, this is all you see.]]

{{Note|Optimus Prime had apparently forgotten that Alpha Trion is his creator. He did seem to know that Alpha Trion created Elita One, making a subtle comment when Elita said that Alpha Trion was like a father to her, though it's unclear whether he had always known or only realized after his visit to Alpha Trion. Which is really kind of creepy when you think about it.}}

After Elita One was re-energized, she and Optimus Prime arrived in time to save both a group of [[Earth]]-stationed Autobots who had followed Optimus to Cybertron, plus Elita's own troops from certain death at the hands of the Decepticons. Notably, Elita shot Shockwave out of the air with a single blast from her pistol.

With their original secret base in ruins, Alpha Trion quickly set Elita's team up with a new one, full of advanced equipment.

Though regretful that they'd be apart again so soon, Elita One elected to stay behind on Cybertron and continue the fight at home while Optimus and the other Autobots returned to the war on Earth. Of course, this didn't prevent her from telling him not to stay away TOO long... {{storylink|The Search for Alpha Trion|The Search for Alpha Trion}}

===MC Axis Kit mini-comic===
Elita One and her team toppled a colossal Decepticon warrior. Though her team was jubilant at their victory, Elita knew that this one victory was far from enough to win the war, and longed for Prime to return so they could re-take their homeworld. {{storylink|MC Axis (pack-in comic)|MC Axis pack-in comic}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Elita One and the other female Autobots were an elite squad of warriors under the command of the [[Quintesson]]s, waiting for intel from their Autobot sleeper agent, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]].

{{Note|[[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] filed for bankruptcy and stopped producing Transformers books right as the female Autobots arc was beginning.}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Classics====
[[Image:Elita-1 Botcon 2007.jpg|right|150px|thumb|]]
Elita One was part of Grimlock's crew on the ''[[Graviton (Classics)|Graviton]]''. After following [[Bug Bite (G1)|Bug Bite]]'s crew of Decepticons to Earth, she fought her way into the Decepticon base herself with radical [[Circuit-Su|martial arts]]. She was so totally awesome, what anyone else does wasn't really that important, apparently. Also, she could disassemble [[Alloygator]]s with ease, supposedly. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}
{{-}}

===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:Bumper-funeral.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Aw, where's the ponytail?]]
Elita appeared with her boyfriend, their father, and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|a close friend/white clone of her boyfriend]] at [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback]]'s funeral. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin issue 3}}
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==Toys==
===BotCon 2009===
[[Image:Timelinestoy-Elita1WoH.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Barbie dream boat!]]
*'''Elita-1''' {{sic}} (BotCon attendee figure, 2009)
** ''Accessories'': Missile launcher, 2 missiles , Earth Cyber Planet Key

: A [[redeco]] of [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|''Cybertron'' Thunderblast]], Elita-1 transforms into a speedboat of undetermined model via [[Shellformer|shellforming]]. She has a small, rotating (non-firing) machine gun and a large missile rack on a rotating and elevating base in this mode. Inserting a [[Cyber Planet Key]] into the back of the missile rack opens it up to reveal a spring-loaded missile launcher, which uses the torpedoes mounted under her hydrofoils as ammunition. The rack becomes a hand-held weapon for her robot mode. She comes with a pink-bordered Earth-style Key. Limited to 2000 sets, Elita-1 came bagged with [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]]. In contrast to the previous few years' worth of attendee sets, Elita and Razorclaw did not set did not sell out at BotCon, and were available on the [[Official Transformers Collectors' Club]] online store for several weeks after the convention.

: This mold was also used to make [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Chromia Minerva-Type]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/BCElita-One/elita-one.htm More information on Elita-1 at TFU.info]''
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==Merchandise==
===MC Axis Kit===
[[Image:ElitaOne-MCAxiskit.jpg|right|thumb|250px|So that's how it's spelled!]]
*'''Elita One''' (1996)

:This Japanese "garage kit", an unpainted resin model, was made by [[MC Axis (company)|MC Axis]], and was also the first official product made of Elita One. The packaging gave her [[Tech Spec]] numbers as well as an official spelling of her name. (The spelling/pronunciation was a point of contention in the early online fandom. See [[#Trivia|Trivia]] below.) It also included among the paperwork a [[MC Axis (pack-in comic)|single-page comic strip]] starring Elita One and the rest of her squad. It is not known for its exceptional quality control - numerous unsightly air bubbles in the plastic are not an uncommon thing to encounter.

:* ''[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/4512c7fd76f8e8ee Fan review of the Hot Rod and Elita One model kits]''
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===Diamond Select Transformers===
*'''Elita-One''' {{sic}} (2009)

[[Image:G1Elita One DiamondSelect bust.jpg|right|150px|thumb|And Optimus thought Elita One would be scared by his lack of feet.]]
: Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2009, Elita-One was sculpted by [[Mark Wong]] of [[Art Asylum]] and limited to 600 pieces. It was exclusive to [http://www.bigbadtoystore.com Big Bad Toystore.com]. The sculpt is based upon her cartoon appearance, though some creative liberties have been taken, such as the fact she carries a large rifle that is similar in design to Optimus Prime's instead of the small pistol she was most commonly seen with. A schematic of her alt-mode can (FINALLY!) be seen on the back of the base of the bust. Elita-One is also given a tech spec for the second time, with numbers that drastically differ from the first set of numbers. Her attributes are as follows: Strength 8.5 Intelligence 9.0 Speed 8.0 Endurance 7.0 Rank 9.5 Courage 8.0 Firepower 9.0 Skill 9.0

{{-}}

==Trivia==
[[Image:Generations-CybertronBattle.jpg|right|250px|thumb|All hell breaks loose!]]
*Since her debut in 1985, the actual spelling of Elita One's name was the subject of much fandom debate for years to follow. With the release of the MC Axis kit, finally her name was given an official spelling, one later backed up by the episode scripts<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_thread/thread/5821789ca800431a/68758ddf3993e5ac Secrets of the Original Scripts, Part Five]</ref> and the [[production bible]].<ref>[http://transformers.winterchill.com/bible/biblepage85.html The original G1 cartoon bible, page 85.]</ref> However, later canon apparently didn't get the memo, as Elita's name continues to appear in different forms, such as "Elita-One" and "Elita-1".
** Elita One's intended name mirrors her male counterpart's, both in spelling and root meaning as "Best First". Furthermore, "Elita" is presumably derived from "elite", which comes from the Latin ''electa'', meaning "chosen". So her name translates as Chosen One, which makes sense as she was the one Alpha Trion chose to gift the special power.
* A Cybertronian battle scene in ''[[TV Magazine]]'' (reprinted in ''[[Transformers Generations]]'') depicts Elita One fighting the Decepticons alongside other pre-Earth Autobots.
* According to writer [[David Wise]], he did ''not'' intend for Ariel to be rebuilt as Elita One when writing "[[War Dawn]]".<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20040806162116/iesb.net/collecting/collecting63004.htm Interview with David Wise]</ref> What Ariel's fate originally was supposed to be is unknown.
* Elita One's [[alternate mode]] was never depicted in its entirety during the original cartoon. As shown above, only the very front end was seen, as the rest was hidden by Optimus Prime's truck mode. It looked a little like a mish-mash of the alt-modes of [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]. Her bust by Diamond Select Toys gave us our first glimpse of the entire vehicle.
* In "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]", the dancers shown in the post-[[Quintesson]] peace era share Elita's model.
* In the ''War Within'' graphic novel, Elita One's silhouette is depicted on Optimus's mudflap in vehicle mode, similar to the "naked lady" silhouette decal seen on modern vehicles.
* If we think about it, since Optimus and Elita One have the same creator, they are, in some way, brother and sister, which just makes their relationship look plain weird. (Well, maybe [[Jean Minakaze|not]] [[Patty Minakaze|in]] [[Solon Kitakaze|Japan]].) The events of "War Dawn" show that Orion Pax and Ariel existed as non-siblings before they were remade into Optimus Prime and Elita One, though Transformers has demonstrated somewhat [[Relatives|puzzling definitions of siblings]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]

Ironhide (G1)/toys

2009-08-14T13:01:08Z

Magnusalpha: /* Generation 1 */

{{factions|autobot}}
You have reached '''[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s toy page!

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1 Ironhide toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Sit on my face and tell me that you love me.]]
*'''Ironhide''' (1984/1991/2001/2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''98'''
**''Accessories:'' "Static Laser Gun", gun post, 3 missiles

:Ironhide was part of the original assortment of [[Autobot]] cars released in 1984. His mold was originally used to create a ''[[Diaclone]]'' Nissan Onebox Cherry Vanette. The ''Diaclone'' line of toys were not meant to depict sentient robots, but rather human-controlled machines; the Ironhide and Ratchet-predecessor toys are the ones that most clearly show evidence of this. Rather than a head, these toy robots had chairs behind windscreens where the human rider would control the robot. When ported into the Transformer toyline, it was both the [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and Ironhide figures that differed the most from their animated incarnations, as the cartoon versions did away with all traces of the human-controlled design to give the robots proper faces and heads.

: Ironhide was reissued in Europe as part of their "[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]" line in 1990, and released in Japan from [[e-Hobby]] in 2001.

:[[Image:Encoretoy-Ironhidewithhead.jpg|left|thumb|100px|His head problem just became a shoulders problem.]]

: In mid-December 2007, he was reissued again as part of Takara's Transformers Encore line. This particular version came with an illustration on one box flap depicting Ironhide's cartoon-design head and chest windshield. By punching out the image along the perforated edges, folding it just so and tucking it in behind the toy's windshield instead of applying the "face" sticker to the windshield, one give the toy a "real" head, just like in the TV series. Sort of. This version of the toy was [[retool]]ed to add a pair of "clips" to the mobile platform's gun-base, designed to keep Ironhide more securely attached when riding it. However, these clips are right where a pair of decals normally go.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Ironhide/Ironhide.htm More information on Ironhide at TFU.info]''

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{{anchor|black}}
*'''Protect Black Ironhide''' (2008)
**''Accessories:'' "Static Laser Gun", gun post, 3 missiles

:e-Hobby released a New Year Special [[Exclusive]]: [[Encore|TF Encore]] Black Protect Ironhide. (In smoother, less loaded English, it would probably be Protective Blackcoat Ironhide. Hurray for cultural distance.) The toy was priced at 4725 yen. Pre-orders were taken until [[January 11|January 11th]], 2008, with a shipping date of April 2008.

:The text on e-Hobby's page for the toy (see External Links, below) indicates the black coloration is meant to [[homage]] Ironhide's original Diaclone version, but between the release of Emergency Green Ratchet and a hint in Ironhide's new [[bio]], it's easy to see this is also an homage to [[Ironhide (Movie)|the new movie Ironhide]]. The packaging is the same as the regular TF Encore Ironhide's.

:According to his bio, Ironhide got the black protective coating to disguise himself from both Destrons and members of the human criminal underworld when he's acting as Convoy's bodyguard. Not a few of his fellow Cybertrons have whispered to him that he looks like a [[Sector Seven|"Men in Black"]] vehicle, but Ironhide insists he got the idea from the deep black coloration of pickup trucks he saw around town. The coating, a composite gel metal, has made his trithyllium steel skin even more durable, allowing him to self-repair minor injuries right away. His robot/mobile artillery forms are now 25% more maneuverable than before, and he can handle even the worst of roads using his three-legged Marauder Mode. (This likely refers to the mode using the robot portion perched on top of the mobile artillery "battle sled.")

===Generation 2===
[[Image:G2Gobot Ironhide.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Not a Gateway.]]
*'''Ironhide''' (Go-bot, 1995)
**''Accessories:'' Gun

: Part of the second wave of [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]] focusing on Generation 1 characters, Ironhide transforms into a silver Ford F150 Flareside pickup truck. Using through-axle construction for his wheels, he is compatible with most "Hot Wheels" and "Matchbox" play sets and tracks.

: The mold is a [[redeco]] of ''Generation 2'' Go-Bots toy [[Motormouth]], and was later redecoed into the ''[[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Spy Changer]] [[Ironhide (RID)|Ironhide]], the ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' Autobot [[Ironhide (Universe)|Ironhide]], and the second ''Universe'' incarnation of [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]].

{{anchor|PowerMaster}}
[[Image:G2Powermaster Ironhide.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Both robot mode and vehicle mode at once!]]
*'''Ironhide''' (Power Master, 1995)
**''Accessories:'' 2 guns

: ''[[Power Master]]'' Ironhide was one of the last toys in the ''Generation 2'' line, and was only released in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Oddly, the Australia and New Zealand releases were in US packaging, complete with [[Hasbro]]'s Rhode Island address.

: Ironhide (barely) transforms from a grey camouflaged Humvee into a dorky robot. His main gimmick is his "Power Master" pull-back motor, which you use by pulling back on his motorized rear wheels, then placing one of his guns into one of the holes above the doors, which releases a catch and allows him to zip along a smooth surface.
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===Beast Wars===
[[Image:Ironhide-bw-magnaboss-toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Yes, this Alien-faced monstrosity certainly screams out "G1 Ironhide"! Who could possibly think otherwise?!]]
*'''Magnaboss''' (Ultra, 1997)
**''Accessories:'' 2 guns

: Ironhide transforms from an elephant into a rather stumpy robot. He is an extremely complex figure with numerous hinges and panels unfolding between modes. Two removable guns are hidden behind the beast mode's ears. These guns can be plugged into the holes at the bottom of Ironhide's stump arms. In addition, [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]]'s heel struts can be used as giant spike weapons, as Ironhide's arms become Magnaboss's legs.

: Ironhide can combine with [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], his package buddies, into Magnaboss. Ironhide forms the bulk of Magnaboss's mass, including all four limbs.

: Ironhide was slightly redecoed to create [[Santon]].

:The Magnaboss toy included no information about its 3 components beyond their names. The character was finally established to be ''Generation 1'' Ironhide a decade after its release in [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' in 2007.
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===Timelines===
[[Image:TimelinesIronhide toy.jpg|right|225px|thumb|Red, red, and also red.]]
*'''Descent into Evil''' (Multi-figure boxset, 2005)
**''Accessories:'' Fold out gun/radar energon weapon, BotCon 2005 pin

: A [[BotCon 2005]] convention exclusive, ''[[Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]]'' Ironhide was only available in the ''Descent into Evil'' boxset. He is a [[retool]] and redeco of ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Tow-Line (Energon)|Tow-Line]], with a newly sculpted head resembling his Generation 1 animation model. When not in vehicle mode, Ironhide splits into a robot mode and a battle sled. Like Towline, Ironhide can [[powerlinx]] with any other powerlinxable Deluxe or Mega from the ''Energon'' toyline, or with his battle sled. In his powerlinx mode, he has small (non-firing) guns that flip out from his feet to form over-shoulder blasters. He comes with a blue [[Energon weapon]].

: Ironhide's retooled mold was also used for ''Timelines'' [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]].
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===Attacktix===
*'''Ironhide''' (Booster, 2007)
{{charstubtoys}}
{{canceledtoy}}

===Universe (2008)===
====Classic Series====
[[Image:Universe 2008 Ironhide Toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hey, I found my head!]]
*'''Ironhide''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Accessories'': Converting Cannon

: Ironhide transforms into a red SUV. Hasbro did a poor job at matching the colour of his painted windows to the transparent blue plastic windows. Pictures of a hand-painted prototype released by Hasbro shows Ironhide having silver paint on his wheels and face, but on the final toy the wheels were left unpainted and his face is the same light blue paint as the windows. Hasbro has recently confirmed that the final products' face paint was an error and will be corrected in a running change. So far, no dice.

:There is also an engineering defect in the figure. Due to a combination of three places on the figure having too much plastic, Ironhide's head does not rise enough and it ends up looking like he's hanging his head in shame. However, with a bit of tinkering, the head can be raised to a more level, straight position[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transtopia-fix-universe-20-ironhides-low-self-esteem/14298/].

:His robot mode has a [[Automorph]]-like [[gimmick]] that brings up mechanical detailing/armor behind his chestplate. His Converting Cannon weapon is a double-ended piece that fits over his hand, and has a Gatling cannon on one end and a melee blade on the other. This weapon is meant to emulate Ironhide's arm-mounted water gun from the ''Generation 1'' fiction.

: He has an [[Oregon]] license plate.

: His packaging's art, depicting him with an aggressive snarl, was a first in the Universe toyline. Since then a range of sneers, smiles and even some active poses have become more common in later waves, replacing the [[Dull surprise|blank expressions]] used before.

: This mold was retooled to make ''Universe'' and ''[[Henkei]]'' [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], surprising absolutely no one.
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===Henkei! Henkei!===
[[Image:Henkei Ironhide toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|He still has the head, and the stripe too.]]
*'''Ironhide''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-11'''
**''Accessories'': Converting Cannon

:''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]] Transformers'' Ironhide is a redeco of ''Universe'' Ironhide, generally to make him more accurate to Ironhide's cartoon appearances. To this end, some plastic colours have been rearranged, such as his now-grey shoulders, darker gray hands, and red forearms, as well as a generally darker shade of red plastic and lighter gray plastic. Additionally, the blue paint used for his opaque windows are a better match to his transparent blue windows than on Hasbro's ''Universe'' toy. As with all ''Henkei'' toys, Ironhide features [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum-metallized]] silver for his headlights, brake lights and his converting cannon housing.

:Although the instructions indicate that Ironhide's weapon should be attached by flipping his hand to the side of his wrist (as in transformation) and fitting the weapon over the naked wrist, the hand can in fact be made to fit inside the weapon with some careful jiggling.
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==Merchandise==
===Decoy===
* '''Cybertron Hero Collection 22''' (Decoy multi-pack, 1985)

: In Japan, a red rubber mini-figure of Ironhide was available in part of a [[Decoy|massive multi-pack of similar mini-figurines]]. The number etched into his back is the sum total of his [[tech spec]] ratings, as these figurines were used as game pieces for a variety of ''Transformers'' board games in which this number had some meaning to how the game was played or something.

*'''Ironhide''' (Decoy, 1987)
**''Decoy number'': ?

: The [[Hasbro]] [[Decoy]] release of the Ironhide game piece is almost identical to the Japanese version, except the number on his back is a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s.

===Super Collection Figure===
*'''Ironhide''' (2001)

: Released in the "Act 3" assortment of [[Super Collection Figure|SCF]], this is a small PVC figurine of Ironhide based on his cartoon appearances.

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===Heroes of Cybertron===
*'''Ironhide''' (2003)

:The Hasbro release of the SCF figures were cast in either transparent blue or transparent red plastic, which was then painted over, giving Ironhide [[Light-piping|light-piped]] eyes, but a generally sloppier appearance.
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===Hard Hero===
*'''Ironhide''' (2002)

[[Image:HardHero G1Ironhide bust.jpg|right|150px|thumb|He finally found his head, but it came at a cost...]]
: This cold-cast porcelain 6-inch tall bust was sculpted by Jason Ray, and is based very heavily upon Ironhide's cartoon appearance. A signed artist's proof version was available, limited to 100 pieces.

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===Transformers - Mini Bust===
[[Image:DiamondSelect G1Ironhide bust.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Proof that EVERY Wave 1 Autobot had a shoulder cannon.]]
*'''Ironhide''' (2009)

:Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2009, Ironhide was sculpted by [[Mark Wong]] of [[Art Asylum]] and limited to 1000 pieces. This detailed bust is based on Ironhide's (you guessed it) cartoon/comic model, but with much more detailing and with elements of his toy design. These include his vehicle sled's missile launcher mounted on his shoulder, his wielding of his sled's static laser gun and his original Diaclone "face" being present behind his windshield. In addition to the missile launcher being removable his open left hand can be replaced with a hand gripping his cartoon pistol for two handed "chop busting."

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===Robot Heroes===
*'''Ironhide and Kickback''' (2008)

[[Image:RobotHeroes G1 Ironhide.jpg|right|150px|thumb|He's cute when he's ornery.]]
:This adorably happy figurine of Ironhide is ready to pound his packmate [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] into metal filings.

{{-}}

==Trivia==
* The black ''[[Diaclone]]'' version of Ironhide was sold by [[Takara]] in North America as the ''[[Diakron]]'' "DK-2" Car/Robot in 1983, seemingly just a few months before he would be rebranded as a Transformer.

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Ironhide/ironhide.htm Ironhide at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Ironhide Ironhide's Universe profile at NTFA.net]
*[http://www.e-hobby.co.jp/cgi-bin/omc?port=33301&tno=11964126283JGBV&req=PRODUCT&code=tfe27 e-Hobby's page for Black Protect Ironhide]

[[Category: Henkei! Henkei! characters]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]

Ratchet (G1)

2009-07-25T13:39:28Z

Magnusalpha: /* Generation 1 */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}{{disambig3|Ratchet}}
{{featured}}
:''Ratchet is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Ratchetg1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|All aboard the party ambulance!]]
'''Ratchet''' is the Autobots' Chief Medical Officer. If something's broke, he can fix it. Ratchet is known for his irreverent bedside manner; he loves having a good time, and his party-loving nature has given him a dry wit. He is not a particularly mighty warrior, which sometimes leads him to believe that he is expendable. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has trouble convincing Ratchet that this is far from the truth.

Although he's a healer, Ratchet often finds himself on the front lines of combat and, on occasion, the last hope the Autobots have. These pressures are sometimes too much for him to handle, but Ratchet ultimately never gives up.

:''Nicknames'': '''Cool Hand Lube''', '''Greasefinger'''<ref>Nicknames found in early ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Universe]]''-style profiles published in [[The Transformers Comics Magazine]].</ref>
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comics):'' '''Alavanca'''
:''Italian name:'' '''Doc'''
:''French-Canadian name:'' '''Mécano'''
:''Hungarian name:'' '''Racsni'''
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comics):'' '''Trinco'''
:''Czech name:'' '''Zdravotník'''
:''Russian name (TV):'' '''Chrapovick''' ("Ratchet")

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Ratchetg1first.jpg|left|200px|thumb|This look didn't last long.]]
Ratchet was one of the select Autobots chosen by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] to travel aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], and ended up in stasis lock for four million years at the base of [[Mount St. Hilary]] with the rest of the crew. Once the volcano exploded and the Transformers reactivated, Ratchet was rebuilt to transform into an ambulance. He responded to [[Gears]]'s complaining by telling him that at least he didn't have to fix everyone all the time! Ratchet would rather be partying. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

[[Image:Ratchetgetstofixgears.jpg|right|200px|thumb|What a comfortable-looking repair sled they're dragging Gears into.]]

As their war against the Decepticons continued on Earth, Ratchet joined the Autobots' debate about how to deal with their dwindling fuel resources. Thankfully, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] had located a human, [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], who could help them convert fuel to a form usable by them, so the Ark was left in Ratchet's hands as the others left to meet with Bumblebee and his new human friends. Ratchet noted sadly that without fuel, even his considerable skills were useless. {{storylink|Power Play!}} While they were gone, Ratchet attended to the Ark. During his attempts at repairs, he uncovered something interesting in its memory databanks, but Optimus Prime cut him off before he could explain. Gears was badly damaged in the battle that followed, and his body was brought back to Ratchet for repairs. After working on him for a short period of time, Ratchet was amazed that he could already speak. Unfortunately, Gears had bad news; Sparkplug Witwicky had converted fuel for the Decepticons while he had been their prisoner! {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}}

The Autobots were outraged at this, which upset Sparkplug so much that he suffered a heart attack. Ratchet volunteered to drive Sparkplug and his son [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]] to the hospital. {{storylink|The Last Stand}} While Buster stayed at the hospital with his ailing father, Ratchet held fast to his oath to preserve life, an oath which made no distinction between organical or mechanical life, and spent long hours helping to ferry injured humans to and from the hospital. His human drivers were alarmed to find this out after the fact. Ratchet was happy to learn that Sparkplug, now able to speak, had told Buster that he'd poisoned the Decepticons' fuel. While this conversation was taking place, his drivers were poking around his ambulance mode, trying to discover how he was talking. After an angry, annoyed outburst, the humans fled.

[[Image:Ratchetfriendtrafficsignal.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Staring also works.]]

Despite Buster's good news, Ratchet felt he should return to the Ark as swiftly as possible; no one there was responding to his communications. Buster accompanied him, and en route tried to explain to Ratchet that the traffic signals were nonsentient and would not respond to his pleas. When a red light turned green, eventually, after Ratchet's attempts at persuasion, the Autobot admonished the child for his lack of communication skills. But when Ratchet and Buster arrived at the Ark, they were horrified to discover [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] standing sentry outside. Buster, who was small enough to slip in unnoticed, snuck inside to investigate. {{storylink|The New Order}} Buster later returned to Ratchet, looking like a fright, and told the Autobot that the Decepticons had taken over the Ark, and that their bodies were hung like meat from the ceiling! Even crazier still was when [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] was seen carrying the defeated body of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] back into the Ark. Ratchet began to worry that he was the last Autobot alive. {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}}

Ratchet soon discovered, to his horror, that he was the last Autobot still functional on Earth, up against the entire Decepticon army. Covertly invading the ''Ark'', he learned that even the mighty [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] had fallen. However, Prime's head, though detached, still functioned, and the Autobot Commander told Ratchet that he must rise up to meet this challenge. Ratchet did not believe he could; he was a doctor, not a warrior (damnit, Jim). {{storylink|Warrior School!}}

[[Image:Ratchetwarriorschool.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The more you know!™]]

Ratchet was no warrior, and he doubted what he could do to topple this new status quo, but still, Ratchet tried. In his weakened state, Megatron could not hope to defeat Shockwave and reclaim his leadership, but Ratchet approached him with a possible solution. Ratchet knew how Shockwave had fallen 4 million years ago (having discovered this earlier within the Ark's memory databanks), and struck a deal, sealed by the [[Rite of Oneness]]: If Ratchet could defeat Shockwave, Megatron would relinquish Decepticon control of the ''Ark'' and its wrecked Autobot inhabitants.

Ratchet journeyed to the [[Savage Land]], where the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] had fought Shockwave to a stalemate, leaving all dormant in a tar pit prison. He dug up the Dinobots and repaired them. Soon after, he met with Megatron on a snowy ski slope and announced that he had fulfilled his half of the bargain; Shockwave was defeated. Megatron, of course, went back on his part of the deal and threatened to kill Ratchet. Ratchet declared that he knew all along Megatron would not hold up his end of the bargain and admitted that he had not, in fact, defeated Shockwave. The Dinobots sprung up out of the snow surrounding Megatron and fought him, but did not succeed. Megatron now stood alone, triumphant, mocking Ratchet and his lack of a warrior's edge. With nothing to lose, Ratchet charged Megatron, but he was ineffectual. However, the charge had loosened the ground on which Megatron stood, and the Decepticon leader fell off the cliff side and disappeared. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}}

''On their return trip to the ''Ark'', Ratchet helped educate the Dinobots about human/Autobot relations by telling them the story of a recent battle with the Decepticons at a hydroelectric dam. {{storylink|Decepticon Dam-Busters!}} When they arrived, Ratchet and the Dinobots found the ''Ark'' defended by [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]], an Autobot combat drone which had been reprogrammed by Shockwave. Ratchet rescued the Dinobots from the powerful drone by remembering and exploiting one of its few weaknesses, an access port which could admit a fine laser. Ratchet then began the task of repairing the Autobots, placing priority on those whose command skills would be useful. This put him at odds with Dinobot leader [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], who felt that the fallen Dinobot [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] should be repaired first. {{storylink|The Wrath of Grimlock!}}''

''When Prowl devised a plan to use the Matrix to create an army of monstrous Autobot warriors, debate over the plan's ethics threatened to divide the Autobots. Ratchet remained neutral and asked Optimus Prime to step in and provide guidance. {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}}''

''Ratchet and Wheeljack collaborated on a Transformer-sized robotic suit, to be used by Buster Witwicky in battle. Optimus Prime was unamused. {{storylink|Robot Buster!}}''

[[Image:Ratchetmechanic.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Such irony.]]

After the destruction of Optimus Prime, Ratchet was not able to repair him. Unable to deal with his failure, Ratchet wandered off on his own during Optimus's funeral. Ratchet decided that rather than moping, he should concern himself with the other damaged Autobots under his care, so he headed towards a junkyard to look for spare parts he could use. However, he was abducted in vehicle mode by the [[Mechanic]] and his accomplice [[Juan]] when the two thieves were found by the police. Ratchet revealed himself when they arrived at the Mechanic's hideout, but the Mechanic froze Ratchet with his own surgical weapons and headed for the ''Ark'', intent on finding technology that would ensure he would never be threatened by the police again. When he had unfrozen, Ratchet followed the human back to the ''Ark'', but was defeated by his own surgical tools. But using pieces he took from the junkyard, he repaired [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], and the appearance of the police car frightened the Mechanic away. The Mechanic escaped with Ratchet's tools and the [[Power Booster Rod]]. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}}

Shortly after Optimus Prime's funeral, Ratchet stood with Omega Supreme, Blaster, and the others, and an incoming fleet of aircraft piloted by the terrorist organization [[Cobra]] was detected. {{storylink|Ashes, Ashes...}} After the Autobots teamed up with the human counterterrorist organization [[G.I. Joe]], Ratchet worked with [[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]], who had already begun to rebuild Bumblebee. Ratchet was surprised to see that Bumblebee had been upgraded by Mainframe into a more-powerful body, and after the process was completed (despite [[Dr. Mindbender]]'s bickering), Bumblebee decided to rename himself Goldbug. {{storylink|...All Fall Down!}}

[[Image:Ratchetneverisnow.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Paging Dr. Smartass.]]

With Optimus Prime dead, Ratchet and a few other high-ranking Autobots assembled to nominate a new leader. Ratchet stressed that their nominee must be kind, just as Optimus Prime had been, someone who would be willing to give everything he had. After a surprise attack on the Ark by [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], Ratchet had his answer. Ratchet's new patients, those that had suffered during the attack, had told him of Grimlock's selflessness in battle. The other Autobots agreed, and Grimlock was declared Autobot leader. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}} However, Grimlock's leadership quickly turned sour, and Ratchet became the voice of sarcasm behind Grimlock's decisions. When a second group of Autobots led by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] met Grimlock's Earth-bound Autobots, they brought with them a [[floppy disk]] containing the mind of the dead Optimus Prime. Ratchet couldn't contain his joy, and so Grimlock struck him down and told him to shut up. Ratchet was told to shut up again when he belittled Grimlock's disbelief that Fortress Maximus was part [[human]]. Grimlock set up a battle for Autobot supremacy between him and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (who fought in Fortress Maximus' stead), so Ratchet and all of both Autobot groups stepped out onto the surface of Earth's [[Moon (moon)|moon]] to watch the fight. Ratchet cheered relentlessly for Blaster, but the spectators were cut short by a surprise Decepticon attack. After the Decepticons had fled, Ratchet was glad to see that Blaster and Grimlock had, for the moment, set aside their differences, because they would need all the cooperation they could muster to repair the fallen and the heavily-damaged Ark. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

''When an [[Underbase]]-powered [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and a time-traveling [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] decimated the Earthbound Autobot forces, Optimus Prime no longer possessed the life-giving powers of the [[Creation Matrix]], so Ratchet was left with the monumental task of repairing them. {{storylink|Deathbringer}}'' During a period of work-induced stress, he began to hallucinate visions of his patients attacking him and accusing him of being worthless. It was during this time that the Decepticon [[Sports Car Patrol]], posing as Autobots, offered to help transport Ratchet to Cybertron, where he could have access to new medical technology that had been created during his 4-million-year absence on Earth. He and three of the Sports Car Patrol took the bodies of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] with him, though Ratchet was curious why [[Blackjack]] stayed behind on the ''Ark''. Ratchet's concerns were answered when, upon arrival on Cybertron, he saw standing before him the believed-to-be-deceased Megatron, who had orchestrated the entire scheme. {{storylink|Back from the Dead}}

[[Image:Ratchetbroughtthemhere.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Megatron inadvertently activated Ratchet's dormant "evil genius" gene.]]

Megatron brought Ratchet the remains of Starscream, demanding Ratchet repair the Air Commander while Blackjack held the ''Ark'' and its medical bay inhabitants hostage. Ratchet agreed, and he used [[Pretender]] technology to repair Starscream while secretly repairing Grimlock, Jazz, and Goldbug as well. After Pretender Starscream was sent to Earth, Megatron sought out Ratchet to kill him, but Ratchet had his own Pretenders ready. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}} Ratchet sprung Grimlock, Jazz, and Bumblebee (Ratchet preferred Bumblebee's original form) on Megatron, but Megatron and his Micromasters were too powerful for them. The Pretenders and Micromasters' battle wandered outside the Decepticon base, and Ratchet was left alone. Sacrificing his life, Ratchet warped the bombs Blackjack had put on the ''Ark'' into the Decepticon base in an attempt to kill both himself and Megatron. Megatron tried to escape through the warp portal, but Ratchet tackled him, and the base exploded. {{storylink|Skin Deep}}

[[Image:Megs ratch.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Ratchet to the left of me, Megatron to the right—Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.]]

Optimus Prime was devastated by the loss of Ratchet. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}} He assigned the detective [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] to investigate Ratchet's death, and Nightbeat hypothesized that Ratchet could possibly still be alive. There was an initial blast which could have knocked Ratchet into the portal and into [[unspace]], a netherworld between the warp portal's starting and ending points. A probe was sent to retrieve him, and it succeeded—but it also brought back Megatron, who was fused with Ratchet as a single, monstrous being. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm!}} The Ratchet/Megatron creature rampaged through the ''Ark'', wounding several Autobots, but Optimus Prime would not let them harm it. This put Optimus Prime in an awkward position: Was the life of Ratchet worth the possible loss of his other troops? The creature fought his way into the engine rooms and began tearing stuff apart, and Prime's choice was made for him: The creature must be stopped. Prime fought Ratchet/Megatron to a standstill, and, alarmingly, the part that was Ratchet took control and pulled Prime's gun to his own forehead, pleading for the Autobot Commander to put him out of his misery. In an unpopular decision, Optimus Prime ordered [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] to separate Megatron and Ratchet, even if it meant saving Megatron. Bonded at a molecular level, neither could survive without the other, even when separated. {{storylink|The Price of Life!}}

[[Image:Ratchetjollies.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Holy crap.]]

Separated by Fixit, they remained in stasis on the ''Ark'' until Grimlock and his [[Nucleon]]-revived Dinobots found the ''Ark'' abandoned during the Transformers' battle with [[Unicron]]. They filled the entire medical bay chambers with Nucleon, not aware that Megatron lay there in storage. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} Shockwave and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] stole the ''Ark'' after Unicron was defeated, in an attempt to return to Earth and conquer it. {{storylink|Still Life!}} However, just as Megatron awoke, Starscream and Shockwave were interrupted by [[Galvatron II]], who had snuck on board before launch. While Galvatron and Megatron teamed up on Shockwave, Starscream went to check on any other possible survivors in the medical bay. He found Ratchet, whose mind was still connected to Megatron's, and Starscream fought the confused Autobot easily. However, when Starscream mused that Ratchet was no fun to kill, Ratchet became enraged and defeated him in a berserker state. Determined to end what he had started, Ratchet blew up the ''Ark'' as it was approaching Earth's orbit, sending all four Decepticons and himself to a supposed death.<ref>Except all the Decepticons eventually turn up alive.</ref> {{storylink|A Savage Circle}}

====Marvel UK future timelines====
''Ratchet was present at the Ark in 2003 when [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] announced his plans for a fully-functional transforming fortress known as [[Autobot City]]. {{storylink|Ark Duty}}''

====''Generation 2''====
{{note|Megatron's molecular-level link with Ratchet was entirely ignored in ''Generation 2''. Megatron returned and was rebuilt by Cobra, while Ratchet's fate was not mentioned at all.}}
As Optimus Prime was being repaired after a catastrophic battle with Megatron, he recalled the events of the Transformer civil war thus far, including two of Megatron's encounters with Ratchet. {{storylink|Tales of Earth Part Four}}

{{-}}
====''Classics''====
[[Image:Ratchetgamesofdeception.jpg|left|250px|thumb|From martyr to furniture.]]
{{note|The ''Classics'' comics take place after the end of the original Marvel Comic, but in a [[splinter timeline]] that does not include the events of the Marvel UK-exclusive stories or ''Generation 2''.}}
Fifteen years after Ratchet seemingly perished with Megatron, Starscream, and Shockwave when the Ark crashed into the [[Yukon]], Megatron had returned to power. Starscream had been fully rebuilt, Shockwave's disembodied head was rigged to exist only in a tortured advisory role, and Ratchet's body was stashed, seemingly lifeless, in a dark corner of Megatron's new throne room within the Ark's remains. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}
{{-}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====Generation 1 cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Don Messick]], [[Wally Burr]] (English), [[Masashi Ebara]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Ratchetg1cartoon.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Ruh-roh. Rooby-rooby-roo!]]
Ratchet served as chief medical officer of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' on its mission to seek out new energy sources to fuel the Autobot struggle against the Decepticons. When the ''Ark'' was boarded by the crew of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', Ratchet attempted to defend his ship by attacking [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], but was thrown into a computer console for his trouble. Ratchet and the other Transformers were forced into emergency [[stasis lock]] when the out-of-control ''Ark'' crashed into a volcano on a [[Earth|primitive planet]]. Four million years later, the volcano erupted, activating [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] to rebuild the Autobots and Decepticons. Ratchet was rebuilt into a human-scaled ambulance. After [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper's]] failed scouting mission ended in a counterattack by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], Ratchet arrived with [[Hauler]] to pull the damaged Hound out of a ravine. Once he finished repairing Hound, Ratchet was part of the battlegroup sent to stop the Decepticons stealing the oil from an off-shore oil rig. However, he did not fare well in this battle. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

After the Autobots saved their new human friends, Spike and Sparkplug Witwicky, from the oil rig fire, Ratchet repaired [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]'s damaged arm in the repair bay outside the ''Ark.'' {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} When [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] was caught in the explosion of the [[Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma]], Ratchet helped the Autobot leader recover, but evidently his skills as a medic were not required, as Prime was totally fine after transforming back into robot mode. Soon afterwards, Ironhide was shot by Skywarp, so Ratchet carried the old-timer back to base for repairs. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

During an ill-fated Autobot attempt to defend the local solar power plant, Starscream managed to shoot the guns out of Ratchet and Prowl's hands. Smarting from the concussion blast, Ratchet called for the Autobots to fall back. However, Ironhide once again managed to get himself damaged while saving Optimus Prime. Ironhide objected to Ratchet and Sparkplug's diagnosis of his damage, but Ratchet warned him against backtalk or the medic would short out Ironhide's mouth circuit. To prevent further argument, he shut down Ironhide, cutting off the warrior in mid-sentence. After the Autobots were led into a trap by a reprogrammed Bumblebee, Ratchet discovered the tampering done by the Decepticons and restored the little Autobot. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion}}

In addition to patching up his fellow warriors whenever someone (usually [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]) had roughed them up a little, Ratchet was also in charge of helping whenever [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] had another invention in the making. Working together, the two Autobots designed and built the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] more or less from scratch—and did a pretty good job, considering they were working with substandard materials. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}} Ratchet was also responsible for saving [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime's]] life, performing a daring surgery on the Autobot leader while subjected to attacks by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}} When [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] refused to assassinate the Autobots and was gunned down by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], it was Ratchet who reconstructed the giant Decepticon scientist and gave him the chance to reform. {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}}

[[Image:G1 ChangingGears Ratchet karate.jpg|left|170px|thumb|Now COUGH!]]
In 1985, after Spike was injured during a battle with the Decepticons, Ratchet carried their injured human friend to the metro hospital. While Spike's mind was transferred into the [[Autobot X]] experimental body Sparkplug had made earlier, Ratchet repaired the battle-damaged Bumblebee, but was forced to cut short his repairs after Spike went on a rampage in his new body. After Spike's mind was returned to his real body, Ratchet theorised that he could probably fix the problems in the mind-transfer process, but thought it was better left alone. {{storylink|Autobot Spike}} When Megatron captured [[Gears]] and unwittingly threatened the destruction of the Earth with his [[Solar Needle]], Ratchet totally fly-kicked Thundercracker. After the Decepticons retreated, Ratchet and Wheeljack argued over which wire they had to disconnect to stabilize the [[Sun]]. However, nobody seemed to notice that he and Gears sounded exactly the same. {{storylink|Changing Gears}}

[[Image:TFTM Ratchet dies.jpg|right|170px|thumb|Seen here suffering from a unique condition known as "Dying Ratchet Syndrome".]]
In the year 2005, while piloting a secret mission to [[Autobot City]] in order to gather a stockpile of [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] from Earth, Ratchet and his allies were attacked by Megatron. Ratchet and Ironhide returned fire, but they were both shot repeatedly and left for dead on the floor of the shuttle as the Decepticons continued with their attack on Autobot City. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

Ratchet's body was evidently recovered for interment, as his grave was housed in the interstellar [[Autobot Mausoleum]]. Sadly, it was not Ratchet's fate to rest in peace; along with the mausoleum itself, Ratchet's remains were later plunged into a star as a side-effect of a [[Quintesson]] plot. {{storylink|Dark Awakening}}

====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic====
Amidst a massave battle against the Decepticons at the Autobot base in Arizona, Ratchet was one of the first to notice that [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and his cassette forces were nowhere to be found. Now suspicious, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] immediately alerted all his units in Japan to be on the lookout for the Decepticon. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 2}}

Later, as [[Kenji]] was enjoying a tour of a secret Autobot facility in Japan, Ratchet was alerted to an attack by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in Yokohama. The Autobots immediately rolled out to meet the threat. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 4}}

====''Binaltech''====
Along with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], Ratchet helped implant [[Chip Chase]]'s consciousness into the lifeless Prowl-2 shell when Prowl's spark was lost in [[subspace]].

===Big Looker storybooks continuity===
[[Image:Ratchetgreatcarrally.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"You sure are a jerk when you repair me, Ratchet!"]]
{{quote|You sure go all to pieces when a missile hits you, Hound.}}

While [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] was taking part in a cross-country Car Rally, he was attacked by [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]'s missiles. Ratchet raced onto the scene to repair Hound, and joked that his patient sure falls apart when a missile hits him! Also, Hound complained that Ratchet was screwing him together too tightly, causing him pain.

Ratchet is kind of a jerk. {{storylink|The Great Car Rally}}

Following a battle with the Decepticons that resulted in many Autobot injuries, Ratchet and [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] were busy trying to fix them. Optimus Prime asked them about their progress, but they both sighed. Ratchet noted that even the mighty Dinobots were out of commission, for they had suffered the heaviest losses. But suddenly, the Decepticons attacked, having repaired their warriors in record time! Optimus Prime called his remaining functional warriors to the highways while Ratchet and Huffer returned to their repairs. {{storylink|Decepticon Hijack}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
{{note|Events from the [[Keepers Trilogy]] novels are in italics.}}
{{quote|"OW! I should blast you to atoms! You did that ''on purpose''!"<br/>
"Tone down your audio amplifiers, will ya? That ''didn't'' hurt... ''much''."|Starscream and Ratchet, [[Skyfire (issue)|Skyfire]]|style=2}}

[[Image:Ratchettww.jpg|left|180px|thumb|The Cybertronian red cross is Pac-Man.]]
8.2 million years ago, Ratchet accompanied [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] to the Sub-Orbital District of [[Iacon]], which had been devastated after [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] activated the planetary engines. He found no life signs in the entire blast radius. {{storylink|The War Within}} 600,000 years later, Ratchet remained with the Prowl-led Autobots after Optimus Prime disappeared in a [[space bridge]] explosion. He repaired [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] after the theoretician was damaged in a battle with [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages}}

Ratchet was among the crew of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' when it crashed on [[Earth]], and awoke in 1984 to battle the [[Decepticon]]s. After years of fighting, Ratchet and the other Autobots took part in [[Operation Liberation]] in 1998, a joint human/Autobot operation that defeated and captured the Earth-bound Decepticons. However, the ''[[Ark II]]'', which was meant to convey the Autobots, the captured Decepticons, and a number of humans back to Cybertron, was sabotaged by General [[Robert Hallo]], sending Ratchet and his comrades to the bottom of the [[Arctic Ocean]]. Years later, Ratchet was brought back by the sinister [[Lazarus]], who had recovered and reprogrammed a number of Transformers for his nefarious ends. However, when [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] broke free of Lazarus's control, he hooked up Ratchet and a number of other Autobots to a device that generated a deadly "metal virus". Soon after, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] detached Ratchet and the others from the doomsday device, and he eventually recovered. {{storylink|Prime Directive}}

''When the alien [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] took over [[Las Vegas]], Ratchet was among the Autobots assembled by Optimus Prime to invade the occupied area. While the others engaged in battle, Ratchet was tasked with dealing with the collateral damage, and leading the human residents of Las Vegas to safety. He returned to the protection of Optimus Prime and his [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] augmented power before a nuclear strike hit the city, and lent his skills to repairing the Autobots who had given their energon to power up Prime's "Finishing Move". {{storylink|Annihilation|Annihilation}}''

''Over the next few days, Ratchet brought all the Autobots back on-line, including [[Bluestreak]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], who had each been drastically injured over the course of the preceding events. No sooner had Bluestreak been reactivated, though, that he was drawn back into the Keepers' control by their pawn, [[Franklin Townsend]]. Franklin's status as an "[[augment]]" -- a human specially engineered using Cybertronian technology -- allowed him to bypass [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]]'s security and infiltrate the ''Ark''. Ratchet blamed himself for allowed that loophole in the security system. Later, Ratchet diagnosed the effects of the [[deconstructionite]]s -- reverse-engineered nanotechnology used by the government against the Transformers to drain away their processing power. {{storylink|Fusion (novel)|Fusion}}''

Ratchet took part in a battle in the [[Canada|Canadian]] Arctic with the Decepticons over possession of a crashed spacecraft containing [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]. As the Autobots overwhelmed their foes, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] arrived on the planet and gave them an ultimatum: Surrender and return to a newly unified Cybertron, or be destroyed. {{storylink|New World Order}} The Autobots returned to the ''Ark'', where Optimus Prime assigned Ratchet to a [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]-led team that was to remain on Earth. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} After Shockwave's lieutenant, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], took Prime and others back to Cybertron, Ratchet and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] remained at the ''Ark'' as Jazz, [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] attempted to locate Scourge and his ship. {{storylink|Cold War}}

[[Image:DWSkyfire Starscream Ratchet.jpg|right|300px|thumb|My crotch is my stomach.]]
When [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and a team of Decepticons arrived on Earth, they attacked the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s inhabitants, wanting the starship for themselves. In the initial assault, the Autobots managed to take [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], his cassettes, [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] prisoner, but eventually all the Autobots but Ratchet and Brawn were defeated by the mighty [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. Expecting a supply ship from Cybertron later that day, Ratchet and Brawn slipped past the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s berserk defense systems in order to contact the ship and warn them. Unfortunately, Bruticus arrived soon after, and they were forced to destroy the ''Ark'' rather than let the Decepticons have access to [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]]. {{storylink|Night of the Combaticons}} Before the battle could escalate further, it was interrupted by the arrival of [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] seemingly powered by supernatural forces. An uneasy truce was formed between the small group of Autobots and Decepticons, and Ratchet begrudgingly put his medic skills to work on Starscream. {{storylink|Skyfire (issue)|Skyfire}} However, after Jetfire left the ''[[Orion]]'' to go after Sunstorm, Starscream used his [[Null-ray]] on the remaining Autobots, including Ratchet. {{storylink|The Omega Effect}}

Ratchet later aided in the construction of Autobot City. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}
{{-}}

===''G.I.Joe vs Transformers''===
[[Image:Ratchetjoetf2.jpg|left|140px|thumb|Physician, arm thyself.]]
In an alternate timeline, a newly formed [[human]] terrorist organization named [[Cobra]] uncovered the ''Ark'' buried in a dormant volcano. Finding two armies of giant, transformable robots, they repurposed these aliens for their own use, rebuilding them so they could reconfigure into various Cobra-designed vehicles. Ratchet was reprogrammed and rebuilt into a Cobra HISS tank. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was able to break free from his reprogramming and awaken the other Transformers, and, with the help of the human anti-terrorist task-force [[G.I. Joe]], he defeated Megatron and Cobra. An alliance between the Autobots and the United States government was formed. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers}}

A malfunction in [[Teletran 3]] sent dozens of Transformers into various points in history, an act which, if not reversed, would result in a perpetual holocaust being unleashed across [[Earth]]. To retrieve one Transformer and bring him home, a team of Cobra and G.I. Joe agents were sent 15 years into an apocalyptic future where [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and his Decepticons ruled. The remaining cyborged humans had formed a resistance which had only one Autobot warrior who stood between them and utter annihilation. The last Autobot alive, Ratchet had grown bitter and battle-hardened after years of guerrilla warfare, and he demanded the team sent to bring him back to the present day help him complete one more mission. Ratchet, the Joes, and the Cobra agents were successful in freeing a factory nearby that was manned by enslaved humans, but Ratchet refused to go home with them and abandon his calling. [[Barbecue]] returned Ratchet home against his wishes, and as Ratchet cursed the stupid little creature, the [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] of the present day shot Ratchet in the back, putting him out of commission. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3}}

Later, when [[Serpent O.R.]] took Optimus Prime prisoner, Ratchet (still in his post-apocalyptic body) was part of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s rescue team. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4}}
{{-}}

===''Timelines''===
[[Image:Ratchetironhidedescent.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Amazingly not dead.]]
Years after the Decepticon and Autobot Wars had ended, Ratchet and five other Autobots were sent to [[Ceti Alpha Seven]] to destroy [[Deathsaurus|General Deathsaurus's]] Insecticon clone lab and stop his planned Decepticon uprising. After a team of four (consisting of [[Outback|Fallback]], [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], [[Flareup (Timelines)|Flareup]], and [[Ricochet (Descent into Evil)|Ricochet]]) failed, Ratchet and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] followed to help. After battling swarms of [[Virulent Clones]] and [[Buzzclaw (Timelines)|Buzzclaw]], they finally met up with Deathsaurus himself. Ironhide stayed to fight the general, and Ratchet separated to find their fallen friends.

Ratchet managed to gather the victims but was captured by Deathsaurus along with Ironhide. Both were restrained inside the lab, which was set to detonate. Before this happened, Ricochet snuck in and freed them, allowing them to gather the wounded and escape as the clone lab was destroyed. {{storylink|Descent into Evil}}
{{-}}

=== IDW comics continuity ===
{{ongoing}}[[Image:Ratchetidw.jpg|left|180px|thumb|IDW's Ratchet, design and art by E.J. Su. Apparently, he got a "telling Prowl off" upgrade, too.]]
[[Image:Ratchetholomatter.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Ratchet's holo-matter avatar has no mouth, and he must snark.]]
Before the war with the Decepticons Ratchet served with the Security Forces stationed in Kaon. He was present at the funeral of [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback]]. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3}}

Ratchet was part of a detachment of Autobots that had operated covertly on Earth for at least four years, attempting to foil a Decepticon insurgency. Although a loyal warrior, Ratchet's conscience got the better of him when he intercepted a Decepticon pulsewave ordering the elimination of [[Stoker|a human being]]. While he was too late to save that human, he encountered two more—[[Verity Carlo]] and [[Hunter O'Nion]]—who had stumbled upon the Decepticon plot. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 0}} Ratchet broke cover to save their lives, subjecting himself to the wrath of [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], who threatened disciplinary action. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 3}}

Ratchet was seemingly alone in his convictions, until [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] agreed to help him and the humans investigate an abandoned Decepticon bunker in [[Nebraska]]. [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] arrived while the humans were reconnoitering and began an aerial bombardment of the bunker, intending to destroy it. Bumblebee and Ratchet engaged the Decepticons in order to buy the humans time to escape the collapsing bunker. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 4}}

The Autobots and humans were leaving the Decepticons to finish their work when an enraged [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] burst from the buried ruins of the bunker. Thankfully for them, Megatron was more concerned with the treachery of Blitzwing and Skywarp, allowing Ratchet and the others to escape with their lives. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 5}} Unwilling to risk their safety further, Ratchet subsequently returned the humans to ''[[Ark-17]]'', where they met the newly arrived Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6}}

[[Image:Sixshot-devastation3a.jpg|thumb|right|200px|RUN AWAY!]]

After [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] was apparently destroyed by [[Machination|a mysterious human organisation]], Ratchet determined that the wreckage the Autobots recovered was a fake. {{storylink|Escalation issue 2}} Later, Ratchet and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], against orders, accompanied Verity Carlo and [[Jimmy Pink]] to find clues on the missing Sunstreaker's and Hunter's whereabouts while Optimus Prime and the other Autobots went to [[Brasnya]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 4}} When the humans set off a trap, the Autobots saved them, though Ironhide was critically injured and Ratchet was forced to abandon him to bring the humans to safety. {{storylink|Escalation issue 6}}

When the Autobots decided to relocate the ''Ark-17'', they were attacked by [[Sixshot]], who downed the ship in mid-flight. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1}} Ratchet was ordered to take Verity and Jimmy into an escape pod while the rest of the crew piloted the ship into the ocean. {{storylink|Devastation issue 2}} Sixshot soon found Ratchet and pursued him relentlessly. Ratchet used the distraction provided by some human jet fighters to escape, hiding among an ambulance pool in [[Pensacola]], Florida. Sixshot soon flushed him out, however, and pursued him out of town, forcing Ratchet to abandon Verity and Jimmy for their own safety. When cornered at the water's edge, Ratchet prepared to make a last stand, but was saved by the timely arrival of the other Autobots. {{storylink|Devastation issue 3}}

[[Image:Devastation5 Ratchet Jazz.jpg|left|200px|thumb|CLEAR!]]

The humans made their way back to the Autobots to warn them about an air attack by the military, and Ratchet took them with him on an orbital bounce to the ''[[Ark-32]]''. Unfortunately, this killed Verity and Jimmy. {{storylink|Devastation issue 4}}

Guilt-stricken, Ratchet managed to restart their hearts after more than 5 minutes, though he feared they suffered brain damage. {{storylink|Devastation issue 5}} Some time later, however, Ratchet was present as the pair were reunited with Hunter. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5}}

A year later, Ratchet tended to the critically-damaged Optimus Prime while the Autobots were hiding out on Cybertron. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1}}

{{note|The events of ''Spotlight: Mirage'' possibly take place in an alternate/unknown continuity.}}
Ratchet was with the Autobots hiding out in the [[Pegasus Star Cluster]], with most of the Autobot forces having been defeated. He tended to the seriously wounded [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire's]] injuries, and suggested surrender to the Decepticons to save their fellow Autobot's life. When [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (disguised as Bumblebee) and the Decepticons attacked, he attempted to reason with the Decepticon mercenary about Jetfire's condition, only to be attacked for his trouble. After the Autobots surrendered, he was furious when Mirage betrayed his word and prepared to carry out Megatron's order to execute the Autobots. {{storylink|Spotlight: Mirage}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
With Optimus Prime in stasis lock, Ratchet and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] appeared to be the co-leaders of the Autobots in the 19th century. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1}} Despite [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee's]] pleading, he was reluctant to interfere with the humans, but nevertheless participated in the pursuit of the [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] as it headed to [[New York City|New York]]. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 4}}

His "Ice Age Wars" altmode is uncertain, but it clearly has scales and spikes. His 19th-century altmode is a medical boxcar. He may be the very first Transformer depicted with a boxcar altmode, as prior to this, all train-based Transformers were locomotives.

{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in comic===
[[Image:RatchetHenkeiTsushima.jpg|left|150px|thumb|"Ma'am, I'm just an SUV—oh, fine."]]
Despite rescuing a girl from a burning building, she had fallen unconscious, so he offered to drive her and her mother to the hospital. Unfortunately, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] was tailing them from above. He would have blasted Ratchet, but Inferno blocked the shot with his fire truck mode, transformed, and then knocked Starscream out of the sky with his water cannon. Thanks to Inferno's help, Ratchet was able to successfully deliver the girl to the hospital.

But Ratchet's work wasn't done, as he had taken note of Inferno's heavy injuries. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 10|Henkei! Henkei! #10}}

{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:Ratchettoyg1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Why's everything so dark in here?]]
* '''Ratchet''' (1984/1986/1990/2001/2007)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''99'''
**''Accessories'': "Static Laser Gun", gun connector, 3 missiles

: Ratchet was originally a Onebox Ambulance Type toy from [[Takara]]'s ''[[Diaclone]]'' line before [[Hasbro]] brought ''Transformers'' to North America. The toy transforms from an ambulance to a robot and gun-station. A variant of the toy includes red crosses on the top and sides of the vehicle. Ratchet and his [[retool]]/[[redeco]] buddy [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], like all Diaclones, were designed to be piloted mecha, which is why he has a seat instead of a head. The Transformers version applied a face sticker to the back of the seat in lieu of a real sculpted noggin.

: In 1986, he was made available as a mail-away item (as he was no longer shipping to retail shelves) in multiple offers, including the [[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]] flier packed with most boxed ''Transformers'' toys. He cost $8 and two [[robot points]].

: In Japan, Ratchet was originally only available as a [[S.T.A.R.S.]] mail-away, costing 1700 yen and 4 robot points. In 2001, he was reissued in Japan as an [[e-Hobby]] [[exclusive]], paired with Ironhide.

:[[Image:Encoretoy-Ratchetwithhead.jpg|left|thumb|100px|This looks ... better?]]

: In mid-December 2007, he was reissued again as part of Takara's Transformers Encore line. This particular version came with an illustration on one box flap depicting Ratchet's cartoon-design head and chest windshield. By punching out the image along the perforated edges, folding it just so and tucking it in behind the toy's windshield, one could give the toy a "real" head, just like in the TV series, instead of using the Diaclone-original windshield face sticker. Sort of. This version of the toy was [[retool]]ed to add a pair of "clips" to the mobile platform's gun-base, designed to keep Ratchet more securely attached when riding it. However, these clips are right where a pair of decals normally go.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Ratchet/ratchet.htm More information on Ratchet at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
{{anchor|EmergencyGreen}}

[[Image:Encoreratchetemergencygreen.jpg|right|250px|thumb|To the Mystery Machine, gang!]]
* '''Ratchet Emergency Green''' (2008)
**''Accessories'': "Static Laser Gun", gun connector, 3 missiles

: A [[redeco]] of the original toy (well, the retooled Encore version) which [[homage]]s [[Ratchet (Movie)|the live-action movie Ratchet]], Ratchet Emergency Green is a Japanese mail-away exclusive available with a purchase of the book ''[[Transformers Visualworks]]''. After the book release on December 4, 2007, purchasers could mail in a ticket from the book and purchase either one (5200yen) or two (10,000 yen) of the item. Ratchet shipped to customers in April 2008.

: He's totally awesome.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Cybertron/EmergencyGreenRatchet/ratchet.htm More information on Emergency Green Ratchet at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Timelines===
[[Image:Timelinestoy-RatchetDiE.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Maybe photographing him against a white backdrop wasn't such a great idea.]]
* '''Autobot Ratchet & Flareup''' (2005)
**''Accessories'': Lightbar/blaster

: One of two "souvenir" packages [[exclusive]] to [[BotCon 2005]], Ratchet is a retooling of the ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' Autobot [[Tow-Line (Energon)|Tow-Line]] with a new head, transforming into a large utility van. In robot mode, his lower vehicle portion becomes a mobile battle/repair platform. Ratchet can fold his legs back and up over his shoulders (wow!) and re-attach to this platform for a "battle mode". In this, ahem, ''position'', Ratchet can also form the top half of a two-robot "Powerlinx combiner" with any ''Energon'' Deluxe Autobot, and any of them can also use his platform for their own combination.

: The mold's standard "receiver dish" weapon was not produced; instead, he came with a new "light bar" that pegged onto his roof in much the same manner.

: He could only be purchased in an at-show "souvenir" two-pack along with [[Flareup (Timelines)|Flareup]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/BCRatchet/ratchet.htm More information on BotCon Ratchet at TFU.info]''

===Henkei! Henkei!===
[[Image:Henkeitoy-Ratchet.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Surprise, I'm colored like the cartoon!]]
*'''Ratchet''' (Deluxe, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-14'''
**''Accessories:'' Converting Cannon

: A redeco and retooling of the [[Universe (2008 franchise)|2008 ''Universe'']] [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide toy]], ''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' Ratchet transforms into an "emergency" SUV. He has a red Japanese-style emergency lightbar, is cast in bright white plastic and has a deco resembling Ratchet's appearance in the original cartoon series, down to his dark gray head crest. Like all ''Henkei'' toys, he features [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum metalized]] plastic, specifically his headlights and taillights, as well as his "Converting Cannon" weapon.

{{-}}
===Universe (2008)===
====Generation 1 Series====
[[Image:Ratchet25toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|No, not that [[Ratchet (Universe)|Universe Ratchet]].]]
*'''Autobot Ratchet''' (Deluxe, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' Medical Dispenser/Combat Blade

: Like ''Henkei'' Ratchet, ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' Ratchet is a redeco and retooling of the ''Universe'' Ironhide toy, and transforms into an "emergency" SUV. He has a blue American-style emergency lightbar (as opposed to Henkei Ratchet's different tooled red Japanese-style emergency lightbar), is cast in pearlescent white plastic and has a rather generic "Ratchety" colour/paint scheme. His license plate also reads [[The Price of Life!|H3L PU2]].

:While similar in execution, there are a great many changes from Henkei Ratchet to Universe Ratchet. The red paint detailing on Universe Ratchet is different than that of Henkei Ratchet in color and layout. The Henkei version's stripes resemble that more of his original counterpart, while the Universe version resemble that of his ''[[Ratchet (Animated)|Animated]]'' version. Henkei Ratchet uses chrome paint on his weapon and both sets of lights while the Universe version leaves them unpainted. Gray paint covers Henkei Ratchet's gun barrel and silver on his upper chest (behind the chest window), these parts remain unpainted on Universe Ratchet. The paint used for the windows of Universe Ratchet is a light blue while Henkei Ratchet uses a deeper metallic blue paint. Henkei Ratchet has black forearms and upper thighs, while the Japanese version uses a pure white (different from the white used through out the rest of the figure). Universe Ratchet has a yellow vanity plate and red head crest while Henkei Ratchet has a blank gray plate and gray head crest. Universe Ratchet features a blue blade on his weapon, while Henkei Ratchet features a red blade. Universe Ratchet also features a lighter red plastic than the Henkei version.

:Like ''Universe'' Ironhide, the blue paint used for his opaque windows matches ''really'', '''''really''''' badly with his translucent blue plastic windows.

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
{{anchor|TakaraDecoy}}
[[Image:G1-toy DecoyRatchet.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Ratchet cosplaying as Ironhide, or Ironhide cosplaying as Ratchet? You, the viewer, decides!]]
* '''Cybertron Hero Collection 22''' (Decoy multi-pack, 1985)

: In Japan, a red rubber mini-figure of Ratchet was available in part of a [[Decoy|massive multi-pack of similar mini-figurines]]. The number etched into his back is the sum total of his [[tech spec]] ratings, as these figurines were used as game pieces for a variety of ''Transformers'' board games in which this number had some meaning to how the game was played or something.

{{anchor|HasbroDecoy}}

*'''Ratchet''' (Decoy, 1987)
**''Decoy number'': '''6'''

: The [[Hasbro]] [[Decoy]] release of the Ratchetgame piece is almost identical to the Japanese version, except the number on his back is a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s.

{{-}}
===Super Collection Figure===
[[Image:SCF-Act6-Ratchet.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Super-action pose doctor!]]
*'''Ratchet''' (2002)

: A non-transformable PVC figurine of Ratchet was made for "Act 6" of Takara's [[Super Collection Figure]] line, a slight retooling of the Ironhide PVC with a new head and "gun"-hand (even though Ironhide's pelvis in animation was not the same as Ratchet's). He was placed in blind-packed boxes, and both full-color and all-pewter-finish versions were made in equal numbers.

===Heroes of Cybertron===
*'''Ratchet''' (2003)

: For the Hasbro ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'' version of SCF, Ratchet was cast entirely in clear-blue plastics, then painted over completely, so a patch of unpainted plastic at the back of his head would emulate the [[Lightpipe|light piping]] effect of previous toys. He was part of the fifth and final wave of ''Heroes of Cybertron'' and came with the right leg to the "build-a-bot" large PVC of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]].

{{-}}
===Transformers Mini-Bust===
[[Image:Ratchet-DiamondSelectstatue.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Your choice of head! His choice of medical tools.]]
*'''Ratchet''' (2009)

: Released by Diamond Select Toys in 2009, Ratchet was sculpted by Mark Wong of Art Asylum and limited to 1000 pieces. The bust continues the tradition of giving all Ratchet merchandise (but not toys) the [[wikipedia:International_Committee_of_the_Red_Cross|red cross]] insignia on their shoulders to better match the Animation model. Ratchet's Bio credits him and Wheeljack with creating the [[Dinobot_(G1)#Cartoon_continuity|Dinobots]]; effectively making him the cartoon version but he comes packaged with two heads for do-it-yourself retconning. Comic accurate red helmet with white chevron, or the cartoon accurate white helmet with grey chevron. Fans of the Universe 2.0 version (white helmet, red chevron) will have to buy some red paint when they pick their bust up. Three tools are also included with the Bust. One slightly resembling the [[Power_Booster_Rod|Power Booster Rod.]] The other a Cybertronian version of an [[wikipedia:otoscope|otoscope]] and the third is some sort of medical gear shaft. They are not sculpted on nor do they possess a magnet and are simply lodged in his hands for display.

{{-}}

==Trivia==
*[[Bob Budiansky]] has said that he named Ratchet after the less-friendly medic Nurse ''Ratched'' from ''[[wikipedia:Ratched|One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest]]''.
*In the Shout! Factory Matrix of Leadership Special Edition DVD set, an interview with Bob Budiansky features close-ups of his original character notes for several characters, Ratchet being one of them. Oddly, his handwritten notes refer to Ratchet as "her" and the Autobots' "go-to gal" for repairs. While this obviously was not the final direction the character took, it is an odd [[Ratchet (Animated)#Trivia|coincidence]].
*In later years, toys sporting the name "Ratchet" require an additional "Autobot" prefix for [[trademark]] reasons, hence making the official name "'''Autobot Ratchet'''".
*In the ''Energon'' cartoon, several possible [[retool]]s of Ratchet were seen in a crowd shot.
* Ratchet's original toy is part of a matrix of cross-referencing [[redeco]]s:
** In 2008, the original 1984 Ratchet mold got a green redeco as "Ratchet Emergency Green" in obvious reference to [[Ratchet (Movie)|his movie counterpart]].
** Meanwhile, the movie counterpart's toys got a red and white "Rescue Ratchet" redeco... based on the original colors of the 1984 toy.
** Elsewhere, [[Ratchet (Animated)|''Animated'' Ratchet]] includes elements from both characters, including Generation 1 Ratchet's chevron crest and coloration. (''Animated'' Ratchet later got a movie-based "Rescue Ratchet" redeco, to boot.)

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Ratchet/ratchet.htm Ratchet at TFU.info]
* [http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Ratchet Ratchet's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:E-Hobby]]
[[Category: Henkei! Henkei! characters]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:Medics]]
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