Ratchet is the Autobots' chief medic. He rarely fights on the front line, but without him the team would have fallen apart long ago. And he'll be sure to remind you.
The classic Ratchet
In the 1984 cartoon Ratchet is an ambulance and mechanic who repairs his comrades after every battle. His respect for life extends even to enemies, although his temper is sharp.
Prime: the heart of the base
Ratchet shines most in Transformers: Prime. He runs the ground bridge, synthesises cures, works on returning to Cybertron and at first openly doesn't want to deal with the human teenagers. Gradually his attitude changes and he becomes their mentor.
In the films
In the live-action films Ratchet is a rescue SUV and the medic of Optimus's team. In Age of Extinction he is killed by a human special unit and the bounty hunter Lockdown, one of the darkest scenes in the series.
Why he matters
Ratchet shows that heroism isn't only about combat. He sees the cost of every battle up close, and that's why his grumbling is a form of care.
