Ratchet (TFA)


 * Ratchet is an Autobot in the Transformers Animated continuity family.



Ratchet is one of the oldest Autobots on Optimus Prime's team. He's also second in command. Though sporting a bit of paunch, he's a true veteran. Having served as a medibot millions of years ago in the Great War, he's the only one of the group to have seen real combat before. Old wounds, both physical and mental, have made him bitter, mostly in regards to heroism. A leader figure for his comrades, he's got a bit of a military drill sergeant aura to him. He also likes bashing Bumblebee on the head when 'Bee's being a smart-ass.

His special power is based on magnetism; he can move metal-based objects and create shields. He enjoys grumbling about almost everything, being sarcastic, and having war flashbacks, just like any old man.

He's not Kup. Honestly.

"Young bots—can't live with 'em, can't melt 'em down for spare parts."

- Ratchet, grumbling and moaning

Transformers Animated cartoon

 * Voice actor: Corey Burton (US)

Ratchet suffered constant flashbacks of a mission during the war in which he was sent by Ultra Magnus to recover Autobot intelligence officer Arcee, who was carrying important security codes in her memory. Shortly after finding her, the pair were captured by the Decepticon-affiliated bounty hunter Lockdown. The hunter made a habit of collecting the powers of defeated enemies as trophies and did so with Ratchet's medical EMP device. Before he could attach it, Arcee was able to pass the device to Ratchet and begged him to use it on herself to wipe the codes and preserve their safety. In the ensuing skirmish with Lockdown, the device accidentally produced a wider blast, erasing Arcee's entire memory.

In the present, Lockdown captured Optimus Prime and intended to hand him over to the vengeful remaining Decepticons for the bounty offered against him. The Autobots attempted a rescue, with Ratchet initially absent due to haunting flashbacks over his last encounter with the bounty hunter. He was forced to intervene after Lockdown eliminated Bulkhead, Bumblebee and Prowl. Ratchet was able to free his commanding officer and retrieve his EMP device, using it to send Lockdown's ship crashing back to Earth. After reinstalling Prime's stolen gadgets, the veteran finally opened up to the younger soldier.

Animated

 * Autobot Ratchet (Deluxe, 2008)

Trivia

 * He's not Kup.


 * The "war wound" on his left arm (seen in his main picture, above) is no longer present after "The Thrill of the Hunt", apparently representing the replacement of his arm-mounted EMP generator. (Of course, as of this writing, only one episode has aired since "Hunt", so it remains to be seen if this detail continues through the rest of the series.)


 * The Autobot medical officer was originally conceived as a female robot named Red Alert. The reason for the rather drastic change is unrevealed.