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Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys

Sunday, March 15th, 2020 12:00AM CDT

Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top Lists
Posted by: william-james88   Views: 68,103

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Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.


Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys


It seems like Hasbro and Takara waited until after I wrote my first Best of Ironhide list to finally do him some justice, at least in terms of toys with his G1 design. Since both characters often share the same design and toys, the fact that I waited until now for a Top 5 Ratchet means that we can get a much better representation of that character. So let's get to it.

5. Studio Series Ratchet

While it is a slight improvement over the Dark of the Moon Ratchet figure, that still means it is building off of the best movie Ratchet we ever had. It has an involved but pleasant transformation for a deluxe which becomes very dynamic due to all the 180 turns you keep having to perform. That makes makes this one of my go to toys when I just want to experience a nice transformation. With the scale revised in the Studio Series line, this Studio Series Ratchet ends up looking better in scale with the rest of the toys in its toyline than the original Dark of the Moon mold did. Plus there are some really nice additions, like the headlights on his shoulders, which were resent in the film and easy to see since they were turned on when this character was first introduced to Sam at night time. Of course, that means the Dark of the Moon repaint is just as good, if not better depending on your preferences in the deco and weapon. - William-James88


Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys


4. Transformers Animated Cybertron Mode Ratchet

The first thing I notice when I hold any figure from this line is the quality of the plastic. The figure feels very sturdy in hand in either mode. I really wish more Transformers figures were this durable because I don't feel like I need to worry about the toy breaking. Transformers are meant to be enjoyed and played with. It's a lot easier to enjoy the experience of transforming and posing when you don't have to worry about something breaking.

Getting back to what I specifically enjoy about this figure, I would have to say that the altmode is really fun because it's a creative fantasy vehicle. It's looks like a frog mixed with a tank that is also somehow an ambulance. A tank-frog-bulance? Is that even a word? It is now. He is also unique in the way that his play feature is to use his defibrillator pads to revive his allies.

I also have to say that I like that we got a happy looking Ratchet. He's usually serious or grumpy but this figure does a great job or representing the younger Ratchet we see in Transformers Animated before he aged and grew to be more hardened by his experiences. - Wreckerjack

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys


3. Transformers Prime: Robots In Disguise Ratchet

Fans of the Transformers Prime TV show can appreciate the level of care that went into sculpting Ratchet's features. His head and torso are well molded and the details are very accurate to the show. I am glad they chose to keep his transformation simple by molding these things and painting them. They didn't miss a beat with the doors on his chest or his grill. One of my favorite things about this figure is how the light piping is used to give our grumpy ol' docbot glowing optics to enhance his expression.

One of the coolest things is the arms are designed to hide his hands when he holds his scalpel blades if you choose to fold them in. It also works nicely with his transformation and feels satisfying when the forearm panels click into place. This makes posing him an absolute blast. Of course you can have him hold his weapons any way you'd like and still get great poses.- Wreckerjack

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys


2. Transformers Masterpiece Ratchet

Oh man, I remember getting this toy as Ironhide and being blown away. We finally had a good update to that G1 design and it was far better than decent, it was grrrrrreat! And then we got Ratchet, which we all saw coming, and I think he looks even better. Mainly due to the pelvic area which looks less bloated, and I really like the EKG display feature you can have for his chest. This toy is the winner we all knew it would be. - William-James88

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys


1. Siege Ratchet

Was that so hard?! All we wanted, for over a decade, was to have an updated version of the G1 toy that was not as awful and not hard to get. And yet, Ratchet always got the shaft. We got the very poor Universe toy, and then there was the slight retool in Combiner Wars that was only available if you went to the Custom Class at Botcon or ought an entire Takara Unit Warriors Lynxmaster. But that is all behind us now because Hasbro has now given us perfectly fine Siege Ratchet that, while still exclusive, was more accessible than the previous attempt at a Classics Ratchet. I really love that they went the extra mile, more than even the MP which had to stay cartoon accurate, at making him unique from Inrohide. Every surface detailing is different, even his hands. I was so impressed I wrote an entire article on just that. He even got special accessories and the asymmetric detailing on his forearms to give him sculpted surgical tools was a really nice touch. That played into the med bay mode they also gave him. Ratchet was never given as much special attention in a toy and he feels truly unique, which I think is a great way to represent a bot who I believe is an icon within the franchise. - William-James88

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys


Honourable Mentions:

I always liked the first movie's voyager class toy. It was very well engineered and it was a nice mix of the blocky transformations of old with some more complexity thrown in for detail and good measure (like the legs morphing). It kept being reissued for every film almost, that's how good the mold was. I would also like to give a shout out to the Cyberverse Spark Armor Ratchet since I love the design and transformation. There is a lot going on for a scout class toy there.

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys

Transformers News: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys

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Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056679)
Posted by no-one on March 15th, 2020 @ 1:51am CDT
Need to drop that green impostor and slot this chonky boy in as a solid #4.

Image

He was my CHUG Ratchet until Siege rolled around.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056680)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on March 15th, 2020 @ 1:57am CDT
carytheone wrote:Need to drop that green impostor and slot this chonky boy in as a solid #4.

Image

He was my CHUG Ratchet until Siege rolled around.
:roll: Being a different series' Ratchet does not make Studio Series Ratchet an impostor. Nor does being emergency services day-glo green. Also, Studio Series Ratchet doesn't have exposed leg hollows like that one does :P
Are you trolling again, carytheone? Maybe we should punish your smart mouth by replacing MP Ratchet with Powerlinx Armada Red Alert (since he was called Ratchet in Japan) :twisted:
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056681)
Posted by no-one on March 15th, 2020 @ 2:09am CDT
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:
carytheone wrote:Need to drop that green impostor and slot this chonky boy in as a solid #4.

[img]Rathicc.jpg[/img]

He was my CHUG Ratchet until Siege rolled around.
:roll: Being a different series' Ratchet does not make Studio Series Ratchet an impostor. Nor does being emergency services day-glo green.
You keep forgetting; my list, my criteria, my opinion.

Also, Studio Series Ratchet doesn't have exposed leg hollows like that one does :P
Hollow parts don't bother me. I feel that RID15 Ratchet is a solid and fun toy worth praising.

Are you trolling again, carytheone?
Not this time... ;;)

Maybe we should punish your smart mouth by replacing MP Ratchet with Powerlinx Armada Red Alert (since he was called Ratchet in Japan) :twisted:
Who is this we? How would that punish me?
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056684)
Posted by Burn on March 15th, 2020 @ 2:26am CDT
Don't give a flying **** what anyone says, this guy was a good figure and was also readily available at a decent price point to the majority of the world.

Image
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056686)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on March 15th, 2020 @ 2:40am CDT
Burn, I'd say he was more passable than truly good, especially with the production fault in the chest.

carytheone wrote:
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Maybe we should punish your smart mouth by replacing MP Ratchet with Powerlinx Armada Red Alert (since he was called Ratchet in Japan) :twisted:
Who is this we? How would that punish me?
It would punish you for your variety-intolerance by putting another Ratchet in the list who wasn't in G1 colors :P

Day-glo green is a common color on ambulances and other emergency vehicles in the modern day, whether as a primary color or as an accent. So it's entirely appropriate for Ratchet.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056690)
Posted by EvasionModeBumblebee on March 15th, 2020 @ 6:30am CDT
Yeah, SS Ratchet is my favorite movie Ratchet too
(The DOTM version in particular, that shade of green is really eye-catching). The old voyager is fun, but parts are always popping off on mine. Hopefully we’ll get some looks at an MPM Ratchet sooner or later!
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056693)
Posted by blackeyedprime on March 15th, 2020 @ 7:19am CDT
List would be tough for me as I don't consider the siege one worth hunting down or paying more than a voyager for. The crosshairs use has some lazy transformation.

The studio series ratchet is a big dissapointment, I had first isuue baynus ratchet and the G1 recoloring (which I'd probably have in the list) and would have kept one of them if I'd known about studio series vehicle mode. Robot modes okay in studio series but when transformed the scale of the ambulance is smaller than most deluxe cars and really doesn't fit in with other studio series. He needed to be voyager or have some more involved transformation. I think even g1 reissue with cardboard head probably beats studio series.

Quite liked the animated activator, and I think my list might include the energon tow line repaint - but not sure how much it screams ambulance. So some of the top five spots (to avoid overly panelly vehicles) might have to be the decoy or SCF figure o.O
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056694)
Posted by Tigerhawk7109 on March 15th, 2020 @ 8:24am CDT
Gotta say: I really want that Siege Ratchet now!

:BH-PREDACON:
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056695)
Posted by no-one on March 15th, 2020 @ 8:56am CDT
Burn wrote:Don't give a flying **** what anyone says, this guy was a good figure and was also readily available at a decent price point to the majority of the world.

Image
If you say so ;)

I never handled the Universe Ironhide/Ratchet mold but I've heard very little if anything good about it. I've watched a few old reviews, but a lot has changed since these figures were released. Can anyone elaborate on it's merits in a post Siege world? Asking for a friend that saw it was redeco'd into Soundwave.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056699)
Posted by Quantum Surge on March 15th, 2020 @ 10:26am CDT
Studio Series Ratchet has better proportions than the DOTM one, and I like the headlights that swivel for the robot mode, but the plastic is sadly cheaper than what we got previously, and there is less coloring to break up the green. Wish I got Animated Ratchet, PRID Ratchet is cool, shame he needed the Reprolabels so badly. Don't care about the MP Ratchet, but I do like Siege Ratchet save for the white tires.

Now I want to see a larger scale Cyberverse Ratchet, an MPM Ratchet, a cooler-looking MP Ratchet done by a 3P company, a Botcon SG Ratchet, a makeover for Universe Ratchet, and a zipper for CTO.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056701)
Posted by Randomhero on March 15th, 2020 @ 11:09am CDT
carytheone wrote:
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:
carytheone wrote:Need to drop that green impostor and slot this chonky boy in as a solid #4.

[img]Rathicc.jpg[/img]

He was my CHUG Ratchet until Siege rolled around.
:roll: Being a different series' Ratchet does not make Studio Series Ratchet an impostor. Nor does being emergency services day-glo green.
You keep forgetting; my list, my criteria, my opinion. [quote]

So we have to respect you’re criteria, list and opinion while you choose to disrespect everyone else’s including the person who wrote the article. Kay.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056702)
Posted by william-james88 on March 15th, 2020 @ 12:21pm CDT
Quantum Surge wrote: a Botcon SG Ratchet,

We got one, I posted a link to it in the number 1 entry paragraph.

Randomhero wrote:
carytheone wrote:
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:
carytheone wrote:Need to drop that green impostor and slot this chonky boy in as a solid #4.

[img]Rathicc.jpg[/img]

He was my CHUG Ratchet until Siege rolled around.
:roll: Being a different series' Ratchet does not make Studio Series Ratchet an impostor. Nor does being emergency services day-glo green.
You keep forgetting; my list, my criteria, my opinion.

So we have to respect you’re criteria, list and opinion while you choose to disrespect everyone else’s including the person who wrote the article. Kay.


Thanks for looking out for me but it's fine, once I post these lists, they are out of my hands and I just hope you enjoy them. As long as it sparks some kind of discussion, which is what's happening, I'm happy.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056707)
Posted by TulioDude on March 15th, 2020 @ 2:40pm CDT
Nice list!
I hope we get news of a Masterpiece Movie Ratchet.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056711)
Posted by Randomhero on March 15th, 2020 @ 3:58pm CDT
william-james88 wrote:
Quantum Surge wrote: a Botcon SG Ratchet,

We got one, I posted a link to it in the number 1 entry paragraph.

Randomhero wrote:
carytheone wrote:
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:
carytheone wrote:Need to drop that green impostor and slot this chonky boy in as a solid #4.

[img]Rathicc.jpg[/img]

He was my CHUG Ratchet until Siege rolled around.
:roll: Being a different series' Ratchet does not make Studio Series Ratchet an impostor. Nor does being emergency services day-glo green.
You keep forgetting; my list, my criteria, my opinion.

So we have to respect you’re criteria, list and opinion while you choose to disrespect everyone else’s including the person who wrote the article. Kay.


Thanks for looking out for me but it's fine, once I post these lists, they are out of my hands and I just hope you enjoy them. As long as it sparks some kind of discussion, which is what's happening, I'm happy.


It’s honestly not fine though. While you don’t take offense people like him need to understand and respect others especially when they decide to start tossing around “it’s my opinion” when they themselves won’t accept others have different opinions than theirs.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056713)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 15th, 2020 @ 4:53pm CDT
Siege being #1 is very appropriate. It's the perfect G1 updated toy that is solid, look good in all modes, and is solid to transform.

Personally, I would have replaced Prime Ratchet by the Cyberverse Armor one because if he'd be deluxe sized, he would have been #1.
Also, is MP Ratchet some excusive? Because he's way more expensive than Ironhide for some reasons.

Finally, the G1 original will always hold a special place in my heart.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056723)
Posted by Skritz on March 15th, 2020 @ 7:15pm CDT
Do we even need those top five? No offense but its always going to end with either recent CHUG or Masterpiece at number 1. Why even bother? >:oP
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056724)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 15th, 2020 @ 7:28pm CDT
Skritz wrote:Do we even need those top five? No offense but its always going to end with either recent CHUG or Masterpiece at number 1. Why even bother? >:oP


Well, this just proves that Transformers toys IMPROVES over time.
So that's good news.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056725)
Posted by Randomhero on March 15th, 2020 @ 7:33pm CDT
Skritz wrote:Do we even need those top five? No offense but its always going to end with either recent CHUG or Masterpiece at number 1. Why even bother? >:oP


You could just go out your day day without clicking on it and reading them. It is an option to look at these. They’re just for fun
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056726)
Posted by william-james88 on March 15th, 2020 @ 7:55pm CDT
Skritz wrote:Do we even need those top five? No offense but its always going to end with either recent CHUG or Masterpiece at number 1.


So this is how you tell me that you only read half my lists?

:-( :-( :-(

Anyways, were you there for my previous list?

https://www.seibertron.com/transformers ... oys/44588/
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056727)
Posted by Skritz on March 15th, 2020 @ 7:56pm CDT
Randomhero wrote:
Skritz wrote:Do we even need those top five? No offense but its always going to end with either recent CHUG or Masterpiece at number 1. Why even bother? >:oP


You could just go out your day day without clicking on it and reading them. It is an option to look at these. They’re just for fun


It's more that I find the top spot generally less interesting to read about in terms of engineering/what the figure has to offer compared to stranger picks. It's a case of 'the answer is so obvious, why even make it a ranking', you know?
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056729)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on March 15th, 2020 @ 8:05pm CDT
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056733)
Posted by Tuned Agent on March 15th, 2020 @ 8:39pm CDT
Another great list (though I would change one thing). I've never experienced most of these figures, but I've heard good things about them (I really should hunt down that Animated cybertronian Ratchet). Here's my top 5 from the Ratchets in my collection.

5. DotM cyberverse Ratchet: This is a fun little figure, and he's got pretty good arm articulation for a legion, complete with ball-joined elbows.

4. Desert Tracker Ratchet (RotF voyager): This Ratchet is one hulking, chunky boy. While his articulation is a bit limited, he has a great feel to him, and his alt mode scales well with deluxe cars.

3. Animated deluxe Ratchet: This is where the list gets really good. While I've never handled the cybertronian version, the regular earth version is a fine figure in it's own right. Solid, highly accurate, well articulated and, most importantly, fun. That's a recipe for a very good figure.

2. Siege Ratchet: I really like what they did with the retooling, and I actually like the molding used for Ratchet more than Ironhide (even if I think the mold works better as Ironhide, if that makes any sense). What they did with his shoulders in particular was really clever, as they go from looking one way in alt mode to looking entirely different in robot mode, just by rotating the position of the lightbar. He also scales perfectly with other figures. His accessories are great. The only thing that keeps him out of the top spot (or at least sharing it with #1) is the deco, which I find kinda lackluster.

1. DotM deluxe Ratchet: This guy is so good, I don't have any desire for the SS versions. When I think of figures that are fun to transform, this figure is one of the first I think of. The way he incorporates so much of his alt mode into robot mode is impressive for a movie figure. He's got good articulation and lots of 5 mm compatibility. And his mechtech weapon is just icing on the cake. It's literally a machine gun with a flip out spinning buzzsaw, weapons don't get much cooler than that. He's often overlooked, but I feel he's not only one of the best figures from DotM, but one of the best Ratchet toys we've ever gotten. Very deserving of #1.

Man, I have more Ratchets than I thought...
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056738)
Posted by Randomhero on March 15th, 2020 @ 9:22pm CDT
Skritz wrote:
Randomhero wrote:
Skritz wrote:Do we even need those top five? No offense but its always going to end with either recent CHUG or Masterpiece at number 1. Why even bother? >:oP


You could just go out your day day without clicking on it and reading them. It is an option to look at these. They’re just for fun


It's more that I find the top spot generally less interesting to read about in terms of engineering/what the figure has to offer compared to stranger picks. It's a case of 'the answer is so obvious, why even make it a ranking', you know?


No I don’t know because he made G1 Jetfire his number one on that list. Not every modern figure makes the lifts or even gets recognition . Again, if you don’t like these just don’t bother. No ones forcing it on you at all. Again, they’re just fun editorials.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056746)
Posted by Burn on March 15th, 2020 @ 10:13pm CDT
If you all could please stop with the off-topic arguing and telling people how they should go about their lives that'd be nice.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056757)
Posted by william-james88 on March 15th, 2020 @ 11:21pm CDT
Tuned Agent wrote:Another great list (though I would change one thing). I've never experienced most of these figures, but I've heard good things about them (I really should hunt down that Animated cybertronian Ratchet). Here's my top 5 from the Ratchets in my collection.

5. DotM cyberverse Ratchet: This is a fun little figure, and he's got pretty good arm articulation for a legion, complete with ball-joined elbows.

4. Desert Tracker Ratchet (RotF voyager): This Ratchet is one hulking, chunky boy. While his articulation is a bit limited, he has a great feel to him, and his alt mode scales well with deluxe cars.

3. Animated deluxe Ratchet: This is where the list gets really good. While I've never handled the cybertronian version, the regular earth version is a fine figure in it's own right. Solid, highly accurate, well articulated and, most importantly, fun. That's a recipe for a very good figure.

2. Siege Ratchet: I really like what they did with the retooling, and I actually like the molding used for Ratchet more than Ironhide (even if I think the mold works better as Ironhide, if that makes any sense). What they did with his shoulders in particular was really clever, as they go from looking one way in alt mode to looking entirely different in robot mode, just by rotating the position of the lightbar. He also scales perfectly with other figures. His accessories are great. The only thing that keeps him out of the top spot (or at least sharing it with #1) is the deco, which I find kinda lackluster.

1. DotM deluxe Ratchet: This guy is so good, I don't have any desire for the SS versions. When I think of figures that are fun to transform, this figure is one of the first I think of. The way he incorporates so much of his alt mode into robot mode is impressive for a movie figure. He's got good articulation and lots of 5 mm compatibility. And his mechtech weapon is just icing on the cake. It's literally a machine gun with a flip out spinning buzzsaw, weapons don't get much cooler than that. He's often overlooked, but I feel he's not only one of the best figures from DotM, but one of the best Ratchet toys we've ever gotten. Very deserving of #1.

Man, I have more Ratchets than I thought...


Thanks for the list. It's rather movie heavy, am I right in assuming that's how you got into this hobby? Any reason you didn't get the Studio Series one yet or is it just too similar to the ones you already have ? Because that would be a fair point. I find the SS one to be the best yet (especially due to the spotlights in robot mode) but it is rather incremental over all compared to the DOTM one.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056760)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on March 15th, 2020 @ 11:40pm CDT
I've seen that some people are bothered by the Studio Series version's limited stock paintwork, and the fact that SS Ratchet is very much a victim of Studio Series' "Robot mode scale at all costs" directive.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056767)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on March 16th, 2020 @ 4:10am CDT
He's completely out of scale with everything and would be a leader class by today's standards, but I do have a fondness for the good old 2007 voyager Ratchet. I should seek out the white "ambulance" version.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056769)
Posted by steve2275 on March 16th, 2020 @ 5:13am CDT
3 + 4=ewwww :SICK:
1+2+3= :-D :-D :-D
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056785)
Posted by Tuned Agent on March 16th, 2020 @ 10:43am CDT
william-james88 wrote:
Tuned Agent wrote:Another great list (though I would change one thing). I've never experienced most of these figures, but I've heard good things about them (I really should hunt down that Animated cybertronian Ratchet). Here's my top 5 from the Ratchets in my collection.

5. DotM cyberverse Ratchet: This is a fun little figure, and he's got pretty good arm articulation for a legion, complete with ball-joined elbows.

4. Desert Tracker Ratchet (RotF voyager): This Ratchet is one hulking, chunky boy. While his articulation is a bit limited, he has a great feel to him, and his alt mode scales well with deluxe cars.

3. Animated deluxe Ratchet: This is where the list gets really good. While I've never handled the cybertronian version, the regular earth version is a fine figure in it's own right. Solid, highly accurate, well articulated and, most importantly, fun. That's a recipe for a very good figure.

2. Siege Ratchet: I really like what they did with the retooling, and I actually like the molding used for Ratchet more than Ironhide (even if I think the mold works better as Ironhide, if that makes any sense). What they did with his shoulders in particular was really clever, as they go from looking one way in alt mode to looking entirely different in robot mode, just by rotating the position of the lightbar. He also scales perfectly with other figures. His accessories are great. The only thing that keeps him out of the top spot (or at least sharing it with #1) is the deco, which I find kinda lackluster.

1. DotM deluxe Ratchet: This guy is so good, I don't have any desire for the SS versions. When I think of figures that are fun to transform, this figure is one of the first I think of. The way he incorporates so much of his alt mode into robot mode is impressive for a movie figure. He's got good articulation and lots of 5 mm compatibility. And his mechtech weapon is just icing on the cake. It's literally a machine gun with a flip out spinning buzzsaw, weapons don't get much cooler than that. He's often overlooked, but I feel he's not only one of the best figures from DotM, but one of the best Ratchet toys we've ever gotten. Very deserving of #1.

Man, I have more Ratchets than I thought...


Thanks for the list. It's rather movie heavy, am I right in assuming that's how you got into this hobby? Any reason you didn't get the Studio Series one yet or is it just too similar to the ones you already have ? Because that would be a fair point. I find the SS one to be the best yet (especially due to the spotlights in robot mode) but it is rather incremental over all compared to the DOTM one.

And thank you for reading it. :D You're half right with your assumption, I'd say it was the movies that made me aware of the brand, and that Animated was what got me invested. The movie-heaviness of my list is mostly due to those being the Ratchets I have in my collection. If I had more, #4 and #5 would probably get bumped off.

As for why I haven't gotten SS Ratchet, yeah, it's mostly just that I don't find it a big enough upgrade over the DotM one. SS Ratchet's proportions are slightly better and the shoulder spotlights are a great improvement, but at the same time the backpack isn't handled quite as well and he doesn't have the alt mode incorporation in his knees that the DotM version does (which I've always liked, even if it doesn't allow his knees to straighten 100%). Plus the DotM one wins in the weapon category, so I decided it wasn't worth upgrading when I was already happy with the Ratchet I have.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056806)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on March 16th, 2020 @ 11:33am CDT
Pretty decent list, but mine is gonna be drastically different:

5) Siege Ratchet - This is a very good figure, quality and technically wise. But considering I have him, Ironhide, and Crosshairs, and Crosshairs owns the mold better, Ironhide has the best weapon, and Ratchet's main thing i liked was his wrench for Nautica, he will fall short on my list.

4) Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Ratchet - This is the edgy reboot Ratchet we needed: beast stylings, Dinobot II styled head, that drill/minigun, all on top of a great base mold! This was a figure that people remember.

3) Revenge of the Fallen Desert Tracker Ratchet - This is still my favorite movie Ratchet, that voyager mold is so big, so solid, with a good transformation and some pretty decent posing. Add the sand detailing that i enjoy plus a huge alt mode, and you have a banger of a figure

Image

2) Cyberverse Spark Armor Ratchet - A thoroughly enjoyable little figure. What he lacks in articulation he more than makes up for with the little snowmobile. That little drone augments Ratchet so well, and then when you combine them, oh the joy, it's great! He is the better Ratchet we got last year, Cyberverse > Siege, fight me.

1) RiD2015 Ratchet - I fully agree with Cary: This is the best Ratchet toy. For one, it is a nice meaty deluxe that makes a large alt mode and blends many different Ratchets together into 1, with the Prime headsculpt crowning it out, since the Prime head sculpt is the definitive Ratchet head for me, even MTMTE/LL ended up agreeing! If it weren't for the Wrench (and Alpine Strike Drift), this would have remained my generations/MTMTE Ratchet. He is the best
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056819)
Posted by no-one on March 16th, 2020 @ 12:21pm CDT
D-Maximal_Primal wrote:4) Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Ratchet - This is the edgy reboot Ratchet we needed: beast stylings, Dinobot II styled head, that drill/minigun, all on top of a great base mold! This was a figure that people remember.
I was wondering if this guy was going come up or not. I'm still on the fence about tracking down the Takara Go! version to add to my BH figures. The Hasbro deco just comes off as an incomplete scatter shot. Considering how strong the base mold it, this one is just a fun offshoot.

1) RiD2015 Ratchet - I fully agree with Cary: This is the best Ratchet toy. For one, it is a nice meaty deluxe that makes a large alt mode and blends many different Ratchets together into 1, with the Prime headsculpt crowning it out, since the Prime head sculpt is the definitive Ratchet head for me, even MTMTE/LL ended up agreeing! If it weren't for the Wrench (and Alpine Strike Drift), this would have remained my generations/MTMTE Ratchet. He is the best
He's a really cool beefy figure and the Hasbro deco ain't bad. I did peel the RID symbol off and add a G1 instead. I preferred his use of the mold over Strongarm. I agree, the head sculpt is perfect and if he'd been a little bit taller I would have skipped Siege completely. I've found that Siege Ratchet owned the mold over Ironhide, but Crosshairs is still on my maybe list. Favorite part of RID15 Ratchet, his guns! They even peg into his backpack in an awesome way. I like them so much I forwarded them to Siege Ratchet. Now he can put a few holes in a Con and then tighten any tricky nuts.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056821)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on March 16th, 2020 @ 12:27pm CDT
carytheone wrote:
D-Maximal_Primal wrote:4) Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Ratchet - This is the edgy reboot Ratchet we needed: beast stylings, Dinobot II styled head, that drill/minigun, all on top of a great base mold! This was a figure that people remember.
I was wondering if this guy was going come up or not. I'm still on the fence about tracking down the Takara Go! version to add to my BH figures. The Hasbro deco just comes off as an incomplete scatter shot. Considering how strong the base mold it, this one is just a fun offshoot.

1) RiD2015 Ratchet - I fully agree with Cary: This is the best Ratchet toy. For one, it is a nice meaty deluxe that makes a large alt mode and blends many different Ratchets together into 1, with the Prime headsculpt crowning it out, since the Prime head sculpt is the definitive Ratchet head for me, even MTMTE/LL ended up agreeing! If it weren't for the Wrench (and Alpine Strike Drift), this would have remained my generations/MTMTE Ratchet. He is the best
He's a really cool beefy figure and the Hasbro deco ain't bad. I did peel the RID symbol off and add a G1 instead. I preferred his use of the mold over Strongarm. I agree, the head sculpt is perfect and if he'd been a little bit taller I would have skipped Siege completely. I've found that Siege Ratchet owned the mold over Ironhide, but Crosshairs is still on my maybe list. Favorite part of RID15 Ratchet, his guns! They even peg into his backpack in an awesome way. I like them so much I forwarded them to Siege Ratchet. Now he can put a few holes in a Con and then tighten any tricky nuts.

A) You should get the Go! form, you need him in some capacity!

B) Double guns are huge! I like my ratchet with 2 guns!
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056823)
Posted by no-one on March 16th, 2020 @ 12:33pm CDT
D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Double guns are huge! I like my ratchet with 2 guns!
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Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056844)
Posted by Gauntlet101010 on March 16th, 2020 @ 2:30pm CDT
For now Universe Ratchet is my CHUG Ratchet of choice. TBH I find him really fun to transform and took him or Ironhide out all the time to fiddle with.

But, yeah, he's always had issues. His head has always been too low. Not everyone likes how his transformation affects his alt. mode. I still like him, though.

Still, he's on my shortlist to be replaced. I'm holding out for an Earthrise version. As nice as Siege is he's Cybertronian and not really what I want from a Neo G1 Ratchet.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056846)
Posted by Tuned Agent on March 16th, 2020 @ 2:38pm CDT
Gauntlet101010 wrote:For now Universe Ratchet is my CHUG Ratchet of choice. TBH I find him really fun to transform and took him or Ironhide out all the time to fiddle with.

But, yeah, he's always had complaints. His head has always been too low. Not everyone likes how his transformation affects his alt. mode. I still like him, though.

Still, he's on my shortlist to be replaced. I'm holding out for an Earthrise version. As nice as Siege is he's Cybertronian and not really what I want from a Neo G1 Ratchet.

Personally, I think the odds are pretty good that your wish will be fulfilled before the WFC trilogy is over.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056847)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on March 16th, 2020 @ 2:41pm CDT
IMO with everything else still to do I don't know that rehashes of Ratchet and Ironhide are in the cards.

To fans of the RiD Ratchet, I think if he displaces anything on this list it should actually be the MP.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056848)
Posted by Gauntlet101010 on March 16th, 2020 @ 2:46pm CDT
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:That doesn't appear to be anywhere in the cards, though...

I think its plausible. In Earthrise or whatever the next part of this trilogy is called. I'm fine with waiting, there's plenty out there for me with new Seekers, Desturns, Alicons, AND Quintessons on the way.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056850)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on March 16th, 2020 @ 2:53pm CDT
Gauntlet101010 wrote:
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:That doesn't appear to be anywhere in the cards, though...

I think its plausible. In Earthrise or whatever the next part of this trilogy is called. I'm fine with waiting, there's plenty out there for me with new Seekers, Desturns, Alicons, AND Quintessons on the way.
Edited my past post for clarity.

IMO I wouldn't be interested in Earth-mode rehashes of Ratchet and Ironhide unless they had detachable platforms a la the originals and/or were Headmasters. And even then I don't know that it would be worth them getting the slots.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056853)
Posted by Gauntlet101010 on March 16th, 2020 @ 3:04pm CDT
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:
Gauntlet101010 wrote:
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:That doesn't appear to be anywhere in the cards, though...
IMO I wouldn't be interested in Earth-mode rehashes of Ratchet and Ironhide unless they had detachable platforms a la the originals and/or were Headmasters. And even then I don't know that it would be worth them getting the slots.

If we're talking about "slots", I. don't think the Dasturns, Megatron, or Prime deserve them since the Siege versions of them are more or less Earth mode versions too. But we've gotten / are getting replacements already. Ratchet and Ironhide would have an entirely different look than their Siege versions, at least, making them more worthy of a new figure.

I mean this is just about what we'd want. If you got Siege I can definitely see why you wouldn't want it replaced already. As for me, I passed on the Siege versions.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056856)
Posted by no-one on March 16th, 2020 @ 3:14pm CDT
Gauntlet101010 wrote:
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:
Gauntlet101010 wrote:
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:That doesn't appear to be anywhere in the cards, though...
IMO I wouldn't be interested in Earth-mode rehashes of Ratchet and Ironhide unless they had detachable platforms a la the originals and/or were Headmasters. And even then I don't know that it would be worth them getting the slots.

If we're talking about "slots", I. don't think the Dasturns, Megatron, or Prime deserve them since the Siege versions of them are more or less Earth mode versions too. But we've gotten / are getting replacements already. Ratchet and Ironhide would have an entirely different look than their Siege versions, at least, making them more worthy of a new figure.

I mean this is just about what we'd want. If you got Siege I can definitely see why you wouldn't want it replaced already. As for me, I passed on the Siege versions.
I love the derp of the Nissan Vanette and would turn my Siege versions over in a heartbeat. With Hasbro and re-releasing characters it's not a matter of if, but when.

The alt mode is the only reason I'd keep MP Ratchet on my list.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056860)
Posted by ZeldaTheSwordsman on March 16th, 2020 @ 3:27pm CDT
Gauntlet101010 wrote:
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:
Gauntlet101010 wrote:
ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:That doesn't appear to be anywhere in the cards, though...
IMO I wouldn't be interested in Earth-mode rehashes of Ratchet and Ironhide unless they had detachable platforms a la the originals and/or were Headmasters. And even then I don't know that it would be worth them getting the slots.

If we're talking about "slots", I. don't think the Dasturns, Megatron, or Prime deserve them since the Siege versions of them are more or less Earth mode versions too. But we've gotten / are getting replacements already. Ratchet and Ironhide would have an entirely different look than their Siege versions, at least, making them more worthy of a new figure.
1. The thing about Optimus is that he not only has a more solidly Earth Mode design, he also has a trailer (which moves him to a Leader slot rather than him taking up another Voyager slot), a removable Matrix of Leadership, and a better-looking gun. He has more to him than just the Earth mode (which isn't the dramatic change with him that it is with the Seekers). I would want Earth mode rehashes of Ratchet and Ironhide to similarly offer a bit more than just being the Earth version. Like, say, replicating the original toys' battle/repair platforms (and not in the cheaty halfassed way the MPs did). And/or being Headmasters, which would be funny because of the original toys.
2. The only confirmed Earth Datsun is Smokescreen, whose SIEGE version was an exclusive that's now hard to find (and was missing the air dam and spoiler that set G1 Smokescreen's car mode apart from Prowl and Bluestreak's). So Smokes himself feels worth it to me - but I'm certainly hoping that Prowl et al don't become slot hogs.
3. I agree that ER Megatron is questionable.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I mean this is just about what we'd want. If you got Siege already I can definitely see why you wouldn't want it replaced already. As for me, I passed on the Siege versions.
I got the SIEGE versions because using the Cybertronian vehicle mode they got interchangeably with Earth vehicles doesn't bug me (especially since, while alien, their van modes look much more like the Onebox than the Universe version's SUV altmode has any prayer of doing), and they were far better figures to me than the previous retail CHUG version. It sure beat trying to get the BotCon exclusive Tow Line retools.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056868)
Posted by Gauntlet101010 on March 16th, 2020 @ 3:49pm CDT
We're getting WAY off topic discussing the merits of the other Siege replacements.

I don't see why a Siege presence prevents new moulds in Earthrise / the remaining trilogy at all at this point. Your arguments against all seem arbitrary. I'll continue to wait for a voyager Earth mode Ratchet before replacing Universe Ratchet and Henkei Ironhide.
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056899)
Posted by RK_Striker_JK_5 on March 16th, 2020 @ 7:21pm CDT
Well, I... really can't disagree with this list.

Darn it, William! Gimme something to work with! :-x :lol:
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2056935)
Posted by william-james88 on March 17th, 2020 @ 6:58am CDT
RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:Well, I... really can't disagree with this list.

Darn it, William! Gimme something to work with! :-x :lol:



:lol: :lol: :lol:
Re: Top 5 Best Ratchet Transformers Toys (2085810)
Posted by PerfectVision on November 1st, 2020 @ 10:17am CST
The BH one absolutely need paint on his head,the green version has the SAAAME problem and a backpack with the same color.The drill make him a worker in a mine.

I don't consider the one of 2015 noteworthy.

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