Ratbat (Animated)
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| The name or term "Ratbat" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Ratbat (disambiguation). |
- Ratbat is a Decepticon from the Animated continuity family.
Ratbat is a Decepticon in the service of Soundwave. Transforming into a keytar, he aids in Soundwave's manipulations of sound and data transmission, and is capable of broadcasting on multiple frequencies all at once. This allows Soundwave to take total control over the minds of any human or Autobot that's unfortunate enough to hear Ratbat's music. Although built by Soundwave, Ratbat possesses a spark due to bearing a tiny sliver of the AllSpark.
Instead of refueling through conventional means, Ratbat enjoys sucking out the energy out of other machines, especially Autobots.[1]
Contents |
Fiction
Animated cartoon
Ratbat's origins are unknown, but he first appeared alongside Soundwave when the musical menace was attempting to reprogram the Autobots into Decepticons using a virtual reality illusion. Sari interfered, forcing Soundwave to dispatch his other minion, Laserbeak, to deal with her, and so Ratbat came into play, as Soundwave used him in keytar form to generate a brainwashing wave of sonic energy that began to warp the Autobots' minds. Human Error, Part I
Soundwave continued to use Ratbat's sonic signals to reprogram the Autobots inside his virtual world. When Sari's team of Substitute Autobots arrived to try to get the drop on Soundwave, he instead ambushed them and ordered the brainwashed Autobots to defend him. During the battle, Prowl used his processor-over-matter technique to override Ratbat's control, then attacked the two Decepticons with his shuriken. This enraged Soundwave, who ordered Ratbat to transform and attack. Ratbat's speed and viciousness took the Autobots by surprise, and he was able to incapacitate Prowl by carrying him up above the city rooftops and them dropping him. Ratbat then returned to Soundwave to be used not for brainwashing but rather as a sonic weapon. However, Optimus Prime had gained control of Laserbeak, and he decided to give the bird's role as an "axe" a more literal meaning, using him to bludgeon and slice both Soundwave and Ratbat into a pile of crumbled parts. Though Laserbeak then escaped carrying Soundwave's central processor, he was not shown to be carrying any part of Ratbat. Human Error, Part II
Toys
Animated
- Electrostatic Soundwave (Deluxe, 2009 / 2010)
- Takara name: Soundwave Electrostatic
- Takara ID number: TA-47
- Takara release date: November 20, 2010
- Accessories: "Ratbat" keytar
- Known designers: Marcelo Matere (packaging artist)
- Released in the seventh and ultimately final wave of Hasbro's Animated Deluxe toys, Ratbat is a black and lavender keytar that turns into a robo-bat. Packed in with his larger partner Electrostatic Soundwave, Ratbat is designed to be "held" in keytar mode thanks to posts that plug into holes on the insides of Soundwave's forearms. Ratbat's feet are also tabbed to allow him to perch on Soundwave's outer arm-panels, and on the roof of his vehicle mode.
- The TakaraTomy version of Ratbat, released in the tenth and final wave of regular retail product, features metallic silver paint in place of lavender, and gold paint instead of red.
- This toy was later redecoed into Knights of Unicron Ratbat.
Notes
- Ratbat was, along with Swindle, Galvatron, and Waspinator, one of Derrick J. Wyatt's favorite Transformers, hence his Animated adaptation.
- According to the bio for Electrostatic Soundwave, Ratbat can fire lightning bolts in keytar mode.
- Ratbat shares a body-type with Wingthing.
Foregin names
- Japanese: Ratbat (ラットバット Rattobatto)
References
- ↑ Ratbat's profile in Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club #27
