Ratchet (Movie)

The name or term "Ratchet" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Ratchet (disambiguation).

Ratchet is an Autobot from the live-action film continuity family.

He's not a Vanette with a siren slapped on. (Instead, he's a Hummer with a rescue truck shell slapped on. Progress!)

Ratchet, the Autobots' medic, is probably the bravest of them all. He'll risk his life to pull any wounded comrade from the battlefield. Indeed, he did not join Optimus Prime's team to be a soldier; rather, he's there to save lives, and thinks Prime is the best chance the universe has for peace.

A medic who dislikes violence, Ratchet's well-armed appearance is more due to being an improviser with surgical tools, such as his buzzsaw, which he discovered he had a penchant for due to his early experiences as a tool-and-die maker. When combat is unavoidable, he can employ these makeshift weapons with surprising agility for his size.

His closest comrade is Arcee, and they share a common enemy in Lockdown.

“	I can't save them all. I learned that truism a long time ago, on countless battlefields. But still, no matter how many I help... a hundred, a thousand... it's the one that I fail that haunts me!	”
—Ratchet on a bitter truth, Transformers Comic issue 3

Hungarian name: Racsni

Chinese name (Taiwan): Fēi Lún (飛輪, "Flying Wheel")

Chinese name (China): Jiu Hu Che (救護車, "Ambulance")

Fiction

Titan Magazines Transformers movie comics

How the crap are they missing a target that big?

Ratchet used to be a politician, Optimus Prime's chief liaison to the High Council of Ancients. He tried to find a peaceful solution to the civil war, and when this failed, he became a battlefield medic. Transformers: The Movie Guide

He would later be one of three Autobots who tried to prevent Megatron from reaching the AllSpark. However, they hadn't expected Devastator to be demented enough to set off a foldspace warhead at pointblank range, a weapon that warped everyone to different parts of the galaxy. Prelude: Megatron As well as ending up in a different body, Ratchet found himself stuck in the middle of a genocidal alien war that uncomfortably mirrored Cybertron's own. By challenging and defeating Durguth, the local tyrant, he became ruler of the Thraal faction. He then ordered a ceasefire and oversaw an interim alliance, effectively bringing peace to the planet single-handed. He then set up a homing beacon in the hope of getting rescued. Prelude: Ratchet

Ratchet... in a non-medical alt mode?! You go too far, Furman!

Ironhide eventually detected the beacon, Ratchet switched back to his green form, and the two began searching for Jazz when he didn't show. They rescued him from a predatory alien planet and then returned to Cybertron. Lost In Space Part 4: Jazz Once on Cybertron, he decided to try out that white body again, and was part of a mission to finally medevac Bumblebee. Prime Directive (IDW) issue 1

Centuries later and immediately following the death of Megatron, Ratchet (having gone back to green) and his comrades were attacked by zombie Decepticons. After being briefly smacked aside in the fight, it occurred to Ratchet that the corpses were being animated by AllSpark energy stolen from the Allspark Mutations, and this knowledge turned the tide before the Autobots were wiped out. Starscream's Militia

The following events occur in a splinter timeline where Megatron won the battle of Mission City.

Ratchet was part of the outnumbered human-Autobot resistance in the conquered United States of America. Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2 Along with Ironhide, he infiltrated a Decepticon facility disguised as a (purple) Payload to stop them using the AllSpark to transform Earth, and he reluctantly decided to let the AllSpark be destroyed if it was the only way to save Earth. Unfortunately, Bonecrusher let them into the facility to kill them! Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3

Ratchet's a trendsetter, and if only the trend was having a consistent colour scheme and look between issues...

Ratchet's quick tactical thinking (absorbing nearby ore to reform his offensive weaponry and armour) immediately turned the tide against the Decepticon, but only the arrival of Arcee and her crew stopped him from being gunned down by Swindles. Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 4 Despite this, drone numbers were against them, and Ratchet didn't believe they could pull off a victory until he noticed a way to bypass the AllSpark's defensive forcefield and destroy the Cube with regular weaponry. Ratchet did this, saving Earth at the cost of the AllSpark, though he begged for forgiveness as he destroyed it. Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5

To his relief, a fragment of the AllSpark had survived. Optimus, worried about the fragment being corrupted by exposure to Megatron, made Ratchet its guardian. Aftermath Part 1 However, in the face of great Decepticon numbers, Ratchet took an unauthorised risk and used the fragment to bring Jazz back to life. The fragment's corruption meant Jazz was brought back amoral and self-serving, and Ratchet was left distraught at what he'd done. Dark Spark

"A proper mouth, at last!"

When the Autobots received an SOS from Ironhide's team on Cybertron, the entire team mobilised to head there. Ratchet hurriedly picked up Mikaela Banes so she could watch their base, ignoring every single traffic law as he did so. Return to Cybertron: Part 3 When on Cybertron, Ratchet found himself in battle against Unicron, trying to separate him from the Nucleon he was using to power his physical body (a possessed Cybertron!). It became clear fast that the Autobot's plan was not going to work fast enough, but Ratchet realised that such a large structure would have an energy distribution network around them; rather than drain the Nucleon manually, he sped things up by having everyone shoot the distribution network until it blew up, causing the energy to be used up in an internal fire. Who needs a Matrix when you have Ratchet! Return to Cybertron: Part 4

After the Decepticons re-took Savannah, Ratchet was part of the ground troops sent in to rescue Mikaela. He did bog all there, really. The Decepticon Who Haunted Himself

IDW Transformers movie comics

You turbo revvin young punks are always in the way!

Many years before the war, First Officer Ratchet was a member of the science sector on Cybertron. He greeted Commander Starscream when the latter returned from a patrol in the Eshems Nebula and repaired his wounds. When he reported of promising findings in the archaeological site near the temple of Simfur, Starscream was somewhat dismissive of the science division's efforts in light of their previous failures. Later, at the excavation site, Jazz tweaked Ratchet by asking if the artifacts found were as old as the first officer. Ratchet exaggerated being upset and deployed his various tools, threatening Jazz that he was just as good as disabling vocal processors as he was fixing them. When Optimus walked off with Protector Megatron, Ratchet wacked Jazz on the back of the head. He was present when Arcee's team found a strange artifact with the strange symbol and helped escort the relic out of the dig site when the aliens whom Starscream had encountered earlier suddenly attacked the planet. Defiance issue 1

After the alien attack ceased, Ratchet and Arcee analysed the remains of the attackers, discovering that the aliens were similar in structures to Cybertronians, even to the point of having something similar to a spark core, but only lacked the means to transform. Before they could speculate further, Signal Flare arrived, with orders from Optimus to assemble for a meeting immediately. At the gathering, Optimus explained how Megatron was demanding they betray their principals of pacifism to go to war with the aliens, and while he implored to the members of his science division to not leave with the army, he also said they could freely choose to go without fear of reprimand. Naturally, Ratchet stayed on Optimus' side. Defiance issue 2

Hoping to learn some answers about the mysterious relic, Ratchet, Elita-One and Arcee took most of the recovered fragments found at the dig site to the lab for immediate examination. After Optimus Prime, Jazz and Prowl broke into Megatron's quarters to get a close look at the intact relic, Ratchet was surprised to learn that the ancient monolith seemed to be in better than had found it in. An unexpected shock same when analysis of the fragments detected the same symbol in the same area on all the different pieces, and what's more, the symbol was also on Optimus's head. Ratchet claimed that this was proof that the Dynasty of Primes existed, and that Optimus was linked to them. Later, at a dig site near Burthov, Ratchet bestowed the name Optimus Prime on his leader, with the opinion that it had a nice ring to it, though Optimus himself thought it might mean "records clerk" for all they knew. Examining the ruins, Optimus wondered aloud why only the relic Megatron possessed remained intact, leading Ratchet to hypothesis that the others had been smashed deliberately. Further speculation was halted by Prowl's security detachment, who had orders to arrest Optimus on flimsy charges of treason. As they were being led away, what no one in the group realised was Megatron had marked all but Optimus for death. Ratchet assisted in the recovery of Prowl when Brawl fired an explosive shell into the convoy. As the group made a run for Burthov, Optimus Prime personally took care of Starscream's group. Defiance issue 3 After those following Optimus Prime were declared traitors, the planet erupted into civil war. Defiance issue 4

During the war, Optimus Prime decided to launch the AllSpark into space to keep it out of Lord Megatron's hands. Bumblebee's team was successful in diverting the Decepticon leader's attention at Tyger Pax, but the young Autobot was greviously injured as a result. As he was carried away on a stretcher, Ratchet declared Bumblebee a hero for delaying Megatron long enough for their plan to work. Ratchet repaired his body, but contrary to what he told Jazz years earlier, was unable to repair Bumblebee's vocal processor. Prime Directive (IDW) issue 1

The inability to repair Bumblebee's vocal processor (or "voice capacitor", as it is referred to in IDW's 2007 Movie Prequel) is at odds with the movie itself where Ratchet said he was working on it, and eventually, Bumblebee does regain his voice.

Ghosts of Yesterday prequel novel

Ghosts of Yesterday

Transformers (2007 film)

Voice actor: Robert Foxworth (English), Jin Urayama (Japan), Jan Spitzer (German), Alain Dorval (French), Angelo Nicotra (Italian), Júlio Chaves (Brazil)

Hearing Bumblebee's call for assistance, Ratchet and the other Autobots under Optimus Prime's direct command came to Earth, with Ratchet crashing into a storefront. As emergency crews and bystanders observed the wreckage, Ratchet assumed the vehicle mode of a nearby Hummer H2 rescue vehicle and drove away.

"The boy's pheromone levels suggest he wants to mate with the female. Other way around, not so much."

Ratchet linked up with Ironhide and Jazz, then made their way to a deserted alley to meet up with Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and their new human friends. After being introduced as the unit's medical officer, Ratchet remarked that his sensors indicated that Sam's pheromone levels suggested he wanted to mate with Mikaela. (Neither Sam nor Mikaela appreciated this comment.) He also explained how Bumblebee's voicebox was damaged and that he had been having trouble fixing it for some time.

Following Sam to his house, Ratchet and their other Autobots unwittingly caused much destruction to the Witwicky yard and stress to Sam when they attempted to help the boy look for his grandfather's glasses. After Sam told them to hide, Ratchet accidentally walked into some power lines, which shocked him enough to make him fall onto a greenhouse. Ratchet found the experience tingly and suggested to Ironhide that he try it, and Ironhide sarcastically mused that it looked fun, but unfortunately, it had caused a neighborhood-wide blackout, making the search for the glasses much more difficult. Ratchet attempted to help by activating his powerful floodlights, which only succeeded in making the parents investigate Sam's room. When Ironhide remarked that Sam's parents were annoying, Ratchet sarcastically agreed with him with a triple "yeah". Ironhide then requested Prime's permission to "take them out," and Ratchet, suddenly alarmed, tried to stop the massive cannon only with words and a hand. Maybe that power surge did more damage than suspected.

Oh, that hurt!

Soon, Sam, Mikaela and his parents were captured by the mysterious Sector Seven. Ratchet and the other Autobots totally outclassed the S7 agents by instantly disarming them of their weapons, then rescuing the boy and his girl. Their dramatic escape was to be short-lived, and Bumblebee was captured while saving his human friends' lives. The next morning, the remaining Autobots gathered to discuss their options. Whether through intuition or some technological means, Ratchet announced that the Decepticons were preparing to make their move. Optimus Prime declared that if they could not defeat the Decepticons, he would fuse the AllSpark with his own spark, hopefully destroying it. Ratchet cautioned him against this action, as the raw power of the artifact would likely kill him. Prime replied that it was his own choice, and to save the humans from destruction and the mistakes of the Transformers, it was a sacrifice that he was willing to make. Inspired by his words, the Autobots headed to Hoover Dam, before encountering Bumblebee leading a column of Sector Seven vehicles headed in the opposite direction.

As the large group arrived in Mission City, it was attacked by Starscream, with the explosion crippling Bumblebee. At the same time, Devastator attacked the surviving human soldiers, prompting Ratchet and Jazz to engage the large Decepticon. As Jazz destroyed one of Devastator's rocket pods, Ratchet used his buzzsaw to slice off the tank's left arm.

"We lost a great comrade."
...*toss*

Captain Lennox ordered Sam to take the AllSpark to the rooftop of a nearby, run-down building so he could pass the cube to a military helicopter that would soon arrive. Ratchet and Ironhide volunteered themselves to protect Sam as he made his escape. Unfortunately, the villainous Starscream swooped down to block Sam's path, forcing the Autobots to engage him in a rather one-sided battle that left them both damaged. Ratchet and Ironhide collapsed, and Sam had to continue on his own.

After the defeat of Megatron and the destruction of the AllSpark, Ratchet somberly informed Optimus Prime that he could not save the fallen Jazz. Later, as Optimus declared that Earth was their new home and that his team would be waiting for any surviving Autobots to gather there, Ratchet spent the remainder of the day observing Sam and Mikaela making out on the hood of Bumblebee's vehicle mode. Transformers (2007)

Transformers (2007) toy bios

Ratchet, despite what he said previously, fixed Jazz up just fine. Target Autobot Jazz The AllSpark helped a lot. AllSpark-Enhanced Autobot Jazz

He also learned a little more about Earth and decided to change to what he felt was a more typical "rescue" deco. The new look feels more natural to him, and helps him to help humans better. Rescue Ratchet Unfortunately, in a later encounter with Brawl, the Decepticon deliberately fired in all directions just to watch and laugh as Ratchet ran himself ragged trying to save all the injured people. Rescue Ratchet vs. Decepticon Brawl

Now realising that sometimes he can only save lives through combat, he began keeping his torch fueled for use against Decepticons. Rescue Torch Ratchet

Beast Wars Diorama Story

At some point, Ratchet and multiple Autobots and Decepticons traversed dimensions and found themselves on a different Earth, in the distant past. They crossed paths with new Transformer factions, the Maximals and the Predacons, who were engaged in a conflict called the Beast Wars. A battle broke out between the four factions. The Autobots and the Decepticons eventually returned to their home dimension, leaving the Maximals and Predacons behind to settle the Beast Wars. Beast Wars Diorama Story

IDW Transformers movie comics

Yeah Ratchet, but why can't you tell this to all Americans?

After the battle of Mission City, Ratchet was reattaching Bumblebee's legs when an AllSpark mutation attacked Sam. Ratchet crushed the hostile creature with his foot, but was surprised to discover that it contained substances loaded with stimulants and ingredients harmful to humans such as Sam and Mikaela. After repairing Bumblebee and retrieving Jazz's remains, the Autobots rolled out to evade Sector Seven. In the month that followed, Ratchet became fascinated with Earth's varied minerals, such that Captain Lennox joked that the Autobots were late to meet them because Ratchet had stopped to take soil samples again. Alliance issue 1

Ratchet arrived at Sector Seven's secret base in the Nevada desert with the other Autobots to help escort the Decepticon remains to San Diego, California. He stayed with Prime when the Autobot leader sent Bumblebee and Ironhide back to retrieve the AllSpark sliver Prime had left in Sector Seven's care. Alliance issue 2 The convoy returned to the base anyway after the level of destruction caused by the Decepticons was reported. Ratchet could be seen assisting the damaged Bumblebee. By the time the Autobots were on US Navy aircraft carrier weeks later for Jazz's burial-at-sea, Ratchet had repaired Bumblebee's outer panels (giving him a new body kit), but was evidently unable to fully restore Bumblebee's vocal processors. The Autobots subsequently agreed to a formal alliance with the US military, and they began training on the island of Diego Garcia. Soon after, the Decepticons Swindle and Dead End were detected in San Francisco. Alliance issue 3

In San Francisco, Ratchet and Ironhide bantered about how the former's vehicle mode was more suited to N.E.S.T.'s cover story of a chemical spill, while the latter asserted that he was the more stylish of the pair. After Optimus Prime disabled Dead End, Ratchet did not detect any energy readings in the Decepticon. After the Decepticons were dealt with, Optimus and Major Lennox agreed that the Decepticons would most likely pursue Sam Witwicky again, and so he must be protected. As Bumblebee left, a sad Ratchet thanked the younger Autobot and promised that they'll keep working on his vocal processors, being sure that they could get them working again. Soon, more Decepticons were being sighted on Earth, and during a subsequent battle in Florida, Ratchet was pinned to the ground by the much larger Incinerator. Ratchet used his hand saw to cut into the Decepticon's ankle, distracting Incinerator enough for Optimus Prime to run his energy sword through him. An event that brought joy and hope to all was the arrival of new Autobot refugees to Earth, though this was tempered with the news of even more Decepticon sightings, and training of the new recruits were put to the test when Demolishor was spotted in Shanghai. Alliance issue 4

The Veiled Threat prequel novel

The events of The Veiled Threat take place during IDW Publishing's Alliance comic.

On their way back to Diego Garcia, Ratchet watched Ironhide scare the crap out of a pirate who was trying to attack their ship. Later, he accompanied a NEST team including Ironhide, Optimus, Salvage, and Beachbreak to the Zambezi River to battle the Decepticons that had appeared there.Ratchet engaged the smaller Dropkick, leaving Prime and Ironhide to take Macerator and Payload. Shortly after; Optimus was swept over the falls; when Beachbreak lowered his cable, Ratchet transmitted to Prime to grab it and then helped haul him up.

Shortly afterwards, the team traveled to a nearby dam on the Zambezi, just as the Decepticons began their attack. Payload took up position down the gorge and began to fire on the dam. Ratchet climbed up onto the structure and did his best to patch the holes, even as he took fire from the Decepticon. Eventually, he was saved when William Lennox opened the emergency floodgates, releasing a torrent of water that sent Payload crashing away.

It took him a good deal of time to recover, so he missed out on the missions to Peru and Australia. But he was ready to join the team for the trip to Rome, and helped in the battle against Swindle, Deadend, and Starscream. The Veiled Threat

Revenge of the Fallen movie

Voice actor: Robert Foxworth (English), Jin Urayama (Japan), Jan Spitzer (German), Angelo Nicotra (Italian), Júlio Chaves (Brazil)

"It's a Medigun! It's the exact opposite of a weapon!"

Ratchet stayed at NEST's Diego Garcia base during the team's mission in Shanghai. He was deployed when Megatron—who was resurrected with the AllSpark shard stolen from the NEST facility—began hunting for Sam Witwicky. Along with his comrades, Ratchet came too late to aid Optimus Prime, who was protecting Sam from Megatron, Starscream and Grindor. Ratchet ordered Bumblebee to get Sam to safety, while he and the rest of the Autobots provided cover fire, driving Megatron and Starscream off. The Autobots then located Prime's body, but there was nothing Ratchet could do for him: Optimus Prime was dead.

NEST returned to a US airbase with Optimus' body, only to be surrounded by United States military forces who had grown fearful of the Autobots' presence attracting more Decepticons to Earth following Prime's death. Director Theodore Galloway, who was behind NEST's shutdown, believed that humanity was sufficiently advanced enough to battle off the Decepticons, and also announced that they would buy time by negotiating with the Decepticons. Ratchet made no effort to conceal his low opinion of Galloway, believing him a "terribly misinformed" fool. Ratchet himself suggested that if the Autobots were unwelcomed, then they should simply leave Earth, but Ironhide opined that Optimus would not want them to leave. Reluctantly, the Autobots stood down and allowed themselves be kept under nets to restrain them.

Hippocratic Oath be damned!

Director Galloway ordered the Autobots retreat to Diego Garcia—but when Major William Lennox learned Witwicky had travelled to Egypt to find the Matrix of Leadership, which could be used to resurrect Prime, they were sent there instead. Ratchet fought off many Decepticons during Operation: Firestorm before Sam arrived and revived Prime with the Matrix. However, Prime was still weakened and the Fallen arrived to steal the Matrix so he could activate his solar harvester. A defected Decepticon named Jetfire sacrificed himself so Optimus could use his parts to fly to the solar harvester: Ratchet ordered Jolt to electrify Jetfire's body and begin a full transplant of the weapons systems and afterburners onto Optimus. Having combined, Optimus flew off to destroy the harvester and kill the Fallen. Revenge of the Fallen

Revenge of the Fallen toy bios

Ratchet has devoted his existence to the study of life in all its forms. The simple fact of life is, to his mind, the greatest testament to the majesty of the universe. Because of this, he has committed himself to fighting the Decepticons and their murderous advances. Autobot Ratchet As a result, when more Decepticons were detected on Earth Ratchet immediately began research into how best to upgrade his weapons. Two months later, he'd developed a new particle beam blaster. Beam Blast Autobot Ratchet He's also found the time to assist Blowpipe with his body modifications, making Blowpipe stronger and faster through a fusion of Earth and Cybertronian technology Super Tuner Throwdown, and to both add a pair of human missile launchers to Bumblebee and make his weapons available in vehicle mode. Cannon Bumblebee

While Ratchet and Blackout are total opposites Rescue Ratchet Vs. Blackout, Ratchet's very attitude offends the mighty Megatron. Autobot Ratchet VS Megatron More directly pressing for Ratchet, however, was an encounter with the meticulous Grindor, whose careful scheming and power of flight put Ratchet at a serious disadvantage. Only doing something completely unpredictable could save him! Surface To Air Showdown bio

Cyber Missions

Voice actor: Bronco D. Jackson

When Lockdown went on a rampage in Mission City, Ratchet went to stop him. After Ratchet's EMP blaster malfunctioned, Lockdown beat him up, took the weapon and escaped with it. Cyber Missions 3

Later, he was found by Sideswipe, who took him back to Diego Garcia and patched him up in the Medical Bay. Not soon after, Lockdown attacked the base, and Sideswipe held him off. Soon he was able to blast the EMP blaster off of Lockdown's wrist, and it slid back to Ratchet. Lockdown tried to retreat, much to Sideswipe's dismay, but Ratchet informed him that he was headed straight for the Medical Bay. Lockdown entered...and a few seconds later was captured by the robotic arms, which were programmed by Ratchet to hold him down and sedate him. Cyber Missions 7

Titan Magazine ROTF Comic

"And they'll never find out where I get my 'spare' parts from, mwuahaha!"

When three raw recruits brought in the dying Decepticon Dead End, Ratchet used his medical skills to save the poor wretch. After discovering that Dead End had been decaying on a molecular level and that he would have died if the cadets hadn't brought him in, Ratchet informed the cadets that he believed they had what it took to be Autobots. Spare Parts!

The following events occur in the Law and Disorder continuity.

Ratchet believes in approaching matters diplomatically and cordially, as when Ironhide presented Barricade with his Christmas present for the Decepticon - which was actually a trick for Ironhide to punch Barricade. Whether or not Ratchet actually will give presents to Decepticons is unknown. #7's Law and Disorder

Games

Transformers The Game (console)

Voice actor: Fred Tatasciore

Autobot Campaign

The only non-playable Autobot, he shows up in movie sequences from time to time. He's completely absent in the Decepticon campaign. Transformers The Game (console)

Transformers Autobots

A part of Optimus Prime's force on Earth, Ratchet stayed on the sidelines until Bumblebee came racing into Tranquility with Blackout on his tail. Intercepting him from a skyscraper's rooftop, Ratchet managed to destroy Blackout, sending him crashing down. Transformers: Autobots

Transformers Decepticons

Ratchet does very little. (Noticing a trend here?) He comes in to attack the Decepticon Create-a-bot in the Army base. After a short fight, he escapes. He makes no other appearances, and so is one of the three characters (the other two being Megatron and Brawl) to survive the game. He's in a spot of bother now, then. Transformers: Decepticons

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - The Game

Voice actor: Robert Foxworth

Xbox 360/Sony PS3/PC

Autobot campaign

Ratchet was armed with an energon multi-beam gun, which fired rapid bursts, and a sticky grenade launcher. His combat repair sequence could instantly heal himself and any nearby allies, befitting his status as a medic.

When Ironhide was jumped by Long Haul in the Shanghai Spiral Highway, Ratchet went in to find Ironhide, bring him back online, and escort him to an extraction point whilst defending him from the Decepticons. Later, Ratchet was deployed to the West Coast Oil Refinery to rescue three engineers trapped by marauding Decepticons. He was attacked by several waves of Combaticons, but bested his enemies and brought the engineers to safety. Ratchet then oversaw Sam's rescue from Grindor and Optimus Prime's battle with Starscream at the East Coast Industrial foundry. Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)

Toys

Transformers (2007)

Legends Class toys

Hasbro might have fixed the green color, but nobody told them to fix the hue settings for the official promo photos.

• Autobot Ratchet (Legends Class, 2007)
  • Japanese name: EZ Collection Ratchet

An inexpensive, small-scale version of Ratchet, he remains relatively faithful to his vehicle mode (though highly simplified), but transforms very differently due to his simplicity. In robot mode he has a faux truck-front chest that's more faithful to the CGI design than the Voyager toy's chest, but the rest of his robot mode is (understandably) inaccurate and limited in articulation.

His spare tire, mounted on the rear end of his roof in vehicle mode, is actually a free-spinning wheel just like the normal four (albeit with a somewhat stiffer joint), and the same size as the front wheels... meaning that, in theory, it could be used as an actual spare tire.

He's feeling a little green around the manifolds.

The original production run of the toy sported a significantly wrong shade of green. A running change variant that quickly replaced the original version corrected the error, now sporting the same shade of green as the Voyager Class toy. Still, the color variant was not limited to the US market, as both versions also popped up in Europe. Japan, however, got stuck with the original, off-color version.

File:Movie2007 LegendsRatchet VS Brawl.jpg

The Doctor vs. the Warrior.

• Rescue Ratchet vs. Decepticon Brawl (Legends "Allspark Battles" two-pack, 2007)

Released as part of the AllSpark Battles refresh of the Movie toyline, Legends class Rescue Ratchet is, naturally, a redeco of the previously-released Legends class Ratchet in his white Generation 1-inspired colors. He comes packed with an all-new sculpt Legends class Brawl.

Voyager Class toys

File:Movie Voyager Ratchet toy.jpg

This green is both NEON and PLAYSKOOL.

• Autobot Ratchet (Voyager Class, 2007)
  • Japanese ID number: MA-02
  • Accessories: Roof rack/claw

Voyager Movie Ratchet transforms into a AM General Hummer H2, customised as a fire search and rescue vehicle. Ratchet is also missing significant amounts of paint applications, with unpainted wheels, emergency tools, and light details, as well as a underpainted face, resulting in a rather monochromatic toy.

During transformation, unfolding his legs will activate his Automorphing feature, which folds out his kneepads and feet, and 'bulges' out two small panels along his inner calves. The only Autobot toy to not feature a ranged weapon, Ratchet's right forearm unfolds into an axe (based upon a weapon concept study), and the removable rollbar/roof rack can either be mounted on his left arm as a shield/claw, or stored on his back.

Oddly, although Ratchet's thumbs are articulated, space is so restricted that they are all but useless. His left thumb can only move a millimeter due to his wrist armour getting in the way. His right thumb does have more space to move, but pushing it will invariably disengage the fold-out axe from his forearm.

Ratchet can attach (loosely) a Mini-Con on the rollbar/roof rack, and can hold a standard weapon via the shield/claw mount.

Hasbro proving that anything looks better as a slavish G1 homage.

• Rescue Ratchet (Voyager Class, 2007)
  • Accessories: Roof rack/claw

Rescue Ratchet is an extensive redeco based in part upon Generation 1 Ratchet's Marvel Comics appearance. Aside from the deco and name change, the toy is otherwise the same in functionality to the previous Voyager class release.

Oddly for a deco described as being more likely for the type of vehicle, Rescue Ratchet's vehicle mode—a fire search and rescue vehicle—is prominently labeled "AMBULANCE."

This same deco was adapted and used as an alternate for Ratchet in the multiplayer mode for the Revenge of the Fallen game.

And yet they've done nothing to put better coloring on my legs....

• Autobot Ratchet (Best Buy exclusive "Premium Series" Voyager Class, 2007)
  • Accessories: Roof rack/claw

Ratchet was one of the first figures in the Premium Series, released on October 16th, 2007 exclusively at Best Buy for the launch of the Transformers movie DVD. Ratchet's main plastic has been changed to a metallic yellow, with an additional coat of metallic yellow paint over the top of those parts (and others), resulting in a much more accurate colour scheme in relation to the actual Movie character and prop vehicle.

Ratchet was presented in robot mode, within a special display package similar in shape to the packaging for the Hasbro release of Generation 1 Masterpiece Starscream. Even though Hasbro officially considers him as part of the Premium Series, this is not indicated anywhere on the packaging, as the Premium Series wasn't officially announced until after Ratchet and Megatron had already been released to stores.

Fast Action Battlers

An axe that shoots missiles. Seriously.

• Axe Attack Autobot Ratchet (Fast Action Battler, 2007)
  • Japanese ID number: QC-03
  • Accessories: Missile

Fast Action Battler Ratchet is a small, deluxe-sized figure with limited articulation and a simple transformation. He features a spring-loaded missile-firing axe, a "robot punch" gimmick, and automorphing. To activate the "robot punch", one must twist and release Ratchet's torso. An inner spring will cause it to snap back to (more or less) anatomical position. His front grille can be rotated 180 degrees, which powers the automorphing feature, and causes Ratchet's front fenders, doors, and roof to separate during transformation from vehicle to robot and form his shoulders and arms (and vice versa). Unfortunately, this sacrifices show accuracy, as the grille ends up right-side up, while the rest of his alt mode cab remains upside-down.

In vehicle mode the missile stows handily underneath Ratchet's chassis.

• Rescue Torch Ratchet (Fast Action Battler, 2008)
  • Accessories: Missile

Cyber Slammers

Even the Throttlebots didn't want me.

• Autobot Ratchet (Cyber Slammer, 2007)

Cyber Slammers Ratchet is a cute little super-deformed Hummer H2 that transforms into a cute little super-deformed Autobot medical officer. 'Slam' his robot mode down into van mode and he rolls along, slowly transforming back up into vehicle mode. Like most Cyber Slammers, Ratchet manages to cram most of his vehicle mode's major details into a compact, super-deformed version of that mode.

Titanium Series

Ratchet rejects your measly attempts to paint his face.

• Autobot Ratchet (3" Robot Masters, 2007)
  • Accessories: Movie-style Autobot sigil display stand

Titanium Ratchet is a die-cast metal and plastic figurine, with an accurate sculpt based on the CG model owing to the fact he doesn't need to transform. Being a figurine, he only has articulation in his shoulders, neck and waist. For some odd reason most of his face is left unpainted. Ratchet comes with a Movie-style Autobot symbol display stand.

Revenge of the Fallen

Legends Class toys

Just as Don and Andrew foretold!

• Autobot Ratchet (Legends, 2009)
  • Japanese ID number: EZ-07

This Legends class Ratchet is a tan redeco (sigh) of Ratchet's 2007 Legends class Toy.

Deluxe Class toys

I have a waist-coat!

• Autobot Ratchet (Deluxe, 2009/2010)
  • Accessories: Gun, projectile

Deluxe class Ratchet is an all-new mold that is more accurate to Ratchet's final robot mode design when compared to his Voyager class toys. However, his vehicle mode has been changed to something akin to a military Humvee, albeit in Ratchet's distinctive emergency rescue regalia. He also features a new "launching EMP blast missile"-launcher weapon that resembles the arm-mounted machine gun that Ratchet uses in the films. Ratchet's Mech Alive feature is unlocked when the missile launcher is plugged into his arm, in which gearing moves pieces into place around the weapon as it's locked into place. His chest also has an Automorph-like rearrangement of his chest-mounted headlights into robot mode configuration as his abdomen is pushed down into place. Ratchet's head has the peculiar feature of having two ball joint sockets stacked one atop the other- there is the shallow socket that his head is set at in the package which allows superior mobility, then a deeper one that limits head movement but conceals his neck joint. The deeper socket can be used by pushing the head down.

The missile launcher weapon can also be attached to Deluxe Lockdown, echoing the interactive features of their Animated counterparts' toys. Likewise, Lockdown's engine can plug into Ratchet's rooftop, but that looks kinda doofy.

Voyager Class toys

What the hell, Hasbro? You couldn't afford the other half of the emergency stripe?

• Desert Tracker Ratchet (Voyager, 2009)
  • Japanese ID number: RA-08
  • Accessories: Roof rack/claw

Ratchet is a barely redecoed version of the Voyager class Ratchet toy released in 2007, the only new decos being the change of his black plastic to dark grey and a "dirt" wash on his doors and shoulders. In a probable effort to cut costs, Hasbro has removed several decos that existed on the 2007 toy, such as half of the Emergency stripe on the sides of the vehicle, the red paint for the light bar and the turn signal lights.

• Surface To Air Showdown (Voyager class 2-pack, 2009)
  • Accessories: Roof rack/claw

A Costco-exclusive two-pack featuring Ratchet squaring off against Grindor, strangely reminiscent of Ratchet's fight with Blackout in the Transformers: Autobots Nintendo DS game. Both toys remain unchanged from their individual retail release.

Fast Action Battlers

Lol @ Voyager, I have more paint apps than you!

• Beam Blast Autobot Ratchet (Fast Action Battler, 2009)
  • Accessories: Missile

This toy is a redeco of the 2007 Fast Action Battlers Autobot Ratchet, now done in a sort of "impractical army" camouflage colour scheme.

Robot Replicas

Damn it Prime, I'm a doctor not a gunslinger!

• Autobot Ratchet (Robot Replica, 2009)

Robot Replicas Ratchet is a non-transforming, highly posable toy intended to be more accurate to Ratchet's CGI robot-mode than transforming toys are capable of. Ratchet is approximately five inches tall and features articulation at his neck, shoulders, elbows, waist, hips, knees and feet.

Titanium Series

• Rescue Ratchet vs. Blackout (3-inch Robot Masters multi-pack, 2009)
  • Accessories: Movie Autobot sigil display stand

This Toys"R"Us-exclusive set features a redecoed version of 2007's Titanium Series Ratchet in white with red detailing and an unchanged version of Blackout.

Transformers (2010)

Deluxe Class toys

• Rescue Ratchet (Deluxe,2010)
• Accessories: Gun, projectile

Rescue Ratchet is a white and red redeco of the Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe Class Ratchet. Much like the many Rescue Ratchets from the 2007 Movie line, his color scheme is heavily inspired by Generation 1 Ratchet's Marvel Comics appearance.

Voyager Class toys

• Night Ops Ratchet (Voyager, 2010)
• Accessories: Roof rack/claw

Night Ops Ratchet is a mostly black redeco of Voyager class Ratchet, somewhat similar to the second RPM Ratchet. He is somewhat mistransformed in-package and in Hasbro's stock photos, as his windshield pieces remain over his abdomen in robot mode, not rotated around behind.

Merchandise

Transformers (2007)

The irony that the medic gets firearm merchandise, though the weapons specialist doesn't.

• Ratchet AllSpark Blaster (2008)

The Ratchet AllSpark Blaster is one of several Movie Roleplay toys. The toy consists of a a blaster attached to Ratchet's (hollow) hand which a child can slip their own hand inside like a glove and wield. Pulling the trigger causes the toy to emit transformation sounds, allowing the user to transform the toy weapon from laser blaster mode to battle cannon mode, by pulling the handle on the back. Laser blaster mode features features siren and laser sounds and a "triple laser light", while the battle cannon mode has cannon blasting sounds and a "weapon-blast light".

Unleashed

Their descision to light a campfire in the Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma really pissed Ratchet off......

• Autobot Ratchet and Autobot Jazz (2008)

The Ratchet and Jazz turnaround is a 3D sculpture of the two characters, both in robot mode, emerging from rubble and explosions, with a movie-accurate sculpt (compared to the various transforming toys). The 'turnaround' aspect of these sculptures simply means one can turn the piece around to display a raised-relief of the movie-style Autobot sigil instead.

This product's release was cancelled for the US market, but was released in Australia and in Asia.

Transformers Movie Screen Cleaners

• Autobot Ratchet (2008)

Released by Tomy Yujin on January 2008, this Dangler is a faction logo-shaped screen cleaner for your cell phone, with a stock image of Ratchet printed on the other side.

Revenge of the Fallen

RPMs - Robot Powered Machines

Combat Series

"Did anyone get the number of that hummer that ran me over?"

• Autobot Ratchet (2009)
  • Number: 01 of 04

As an RPM, Ratchet is a non-transforming Hot Wheels-scale search and rescue vehicle. Sculpted on the underside of the vehicle is Ratchet's robot mode, name and faction insignia.

Battle Series

For when you need your emergency vehicles stealthy.

• Autobot Ratchet VS Megatron (2009)
  • Number: 05 of 08

This redeco of Ratchet essentially reverses his colors, coloring him black with a yellow bumper and roof rack. He was only available in a two-pack with Megatron.

Figure Collection

• Ratchet (2010)
  • Accessories: Stand

The Figure Collection edition of Ratchet is based on his Fast Action Battlers toy.

Robot Heroes

Going my way?

• Autobot Ratchet and Megatron (2007)

Robot Heroes Autobot Ratchet is a soft-plastic figurine sculpted in a super-deformed style, with joints at his head and shoulders. He can place one hand on his hip and raise his thumbs-up arm for hitch-hiking fun.

Infected with herpe-- er, Allspark Power.

• The Final Battle (2008)

Sold exclusively in Wal-Mart stores, this release of Ratchet is a repaint of the first Robot Heroes toy. Sold with redecoed Autobot Jazz, Blackout, Optimus Prime, and Megatron, no molding was changed on this toy. However, the figure boasts an "Allspark blue" paint job, which swaps out a few of the toy's original decos with the bright blue paint instead.

• Battle for the Allspark (2009)

Packaged in a set depicting the battle in Mission City with Decepticon Brawl, Megatron, plus new figures of Sam Witwicky, Optimus Prime in truck mode, Starscream in fighter mode and Bumblebee in vehicle mode, this Ratchet Heroes figurine has the circular saw on his arm that he uses to slice off Brawl's left arm.

Oh, look at the time!

• Ratchet vs Barricade (2009)

Part of the third wave of Revenge of the Fallen-branded Robot Heroes, a new mold of Ratchet brandishing his machine gun is packaged versus a redeco of the original Barricade Robot Heroes figurine.

Trivia

Early Ratchet laughs at your premature rejection.

• Ratchet's early design would later go on to inspire the Toys"R"Us exclusive Inferno.

• According to Meet the Autobots, Ratchet has X-ray vision, which lets him see for miles.

• In the hardcover Transformers: The Movie Guide, it is noted that Ratchet can cannibalize his own parts for emergency treatment of a patient; he carries within him redundant systems for such situations. (This only turns up once in a story though, in one of Titan's issues) He can also tow up to 300 lbs over his own weight in vehicle form, and his specialization isn't listed as being a medic, but in actually getting to the wounded.

• In the hardcover Movie Guide it is noted that Ratchet is one of the few Autobots that could conceivably give Megatron a decent fight one-on-one before being dismembered and fed upon.

• In the Transformers guide to the movie, the book proclaims that "Ratchet carefully chose his landing site to avoid loss of human life." Yet he is seen crashing in the middle of the street, causing fires and several minor explosions. Maybe Ratchet thought he was avoiding loss of human life.

• Ratchet's toy packaging proclaims he has an "Automorph Forearm Cannon". However, the toy obviously lacks this weapon. At the Hasbro Tour during BotCon 2007, an early design prototype of Ratchet was displayed during a slide show, with similar callouts. Presumably, the forearm cannon was attempted, but dropped due to either engineering issues or cost.

• Ratchet is the only Autobot introduced in the first Transformers film never to have been given a close-up transformation sequence in the first film or its sequel, Revenge of the Fallen.

• Ratchet's toys are part of a matrix of cross-referencing redecos, along with Animated Ratchet and Generation 1 Ratchet:
  • In 2008, the original Generation 1 Ratchet mold got an e-Hobby exclusive green redeco in Japan as "Ratchet Emergency Green" in obvious reference to his movie counterpart.
  • The red and white "Rescue Ratchet" redecos of movie Ratchet's toys are based on Generation 1 Ratchet's original toy.
  • Animated Ratchet, his original design already referencing both predecessors with Generation 1 Ratchet's chevron and coloring and movie Ratchet's squiggly EEG symbol, had a further homage to the latter with a yellow redeco as (another) "Rescue Ratchet".

• Included with the downloadable content for the Revenge of the Fallen game on Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 is a red and white color skin for Ratchet. Clearly, he needs to pick a color palette and commit!

• In the film, a part of Ratchet's transformation involves his entire upper body rotating around. The main Voyager class toy does not do this, but Ironhide's does.

• Contrary to what is implied or outright stated by everything from the Rescue Ratchet deco to the words of the moviemakers themselves, Ratchet is not, in fact, an ambulance.

External links

• Ratchet at TFU.info