Ben 10 is an American animated television series created by Man of Action (a group consisting of Duncan Rouleau, Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, and Steve Seagle), and produced by Cartoon Network Studios. Its style is partially influenced by anime, much like Teen Titans, and has Alex Soto as the supervising producer, who also worked on Teen Titans. The pilot episode aired on December 27, 2005 as part of a sneak peek of Cartoon Network's new Saturday morning lineup. The second episode was shown as a special on Cartoon Network's Fridays on January 13, 2006, on which the first and second episodes were shown back-to-back. Currently, Ben 10 airs every Saturday morning (10:00 A.M. EST/PST), as part of their new action lineup on Saturday morning. The theme song for the show is written by Andy Sturmer and sung by Moxy.
| Ben 10 | |
|---|---|
| File:Ben10showlogo.JPG The official logo for the show. | |
| Created by | Duncan Rouleau Joe Casey Joe Kelly Steve Seagle |
| Starring | Dee Bradley Baker Fred Tatasciore Jim Ward Meagan Smith Paul Eiding Richard McGonagle Richard Steven Horvitz Steven Jay Blum Tara Strong |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 13 (So far) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 22 minutes approx. |
| Original release | |
| Network | Cartoon Network |
| Release | December 27, 2005 – present |
Plot
When 10-year-old Ben Tennyson discovers a mysterious device, called the Omnitrix, it bestowes him with the ability to transform into ten different alien heroes, each with unique powers. With these abilities at his disposal, Ben realizes that he has a greater responsibility to help others and stop evil doers, but that doesn’t mean he's above a little superpowered mischief now and then.
Main characters
These are the recurring characters of the series.
Ben Tennyson
Ben is a typical 10-year-old boy - he plays video games, rides his bike, and sometimes gets in trouble (just like all 10-year-old boys do). During a camping trip with his grandfather, Max, and his cousin, Gwen, he finds the Omnitrix, an alien device that gives him the ability to turn into ten different aliens. Upon discovering its awesome powers, he becomes a superhero. He finds the job trickier than he imagined (especially with an alien force after him that will stop at nothing to get the Omnitrix). No matter what bizzare form Ben takes, however, he's still the same good-hearted, yet mischievious, 10-year-old boy inside (although Gwen would like to think otherwise).
Gwen Tennyson
Whenever Ben is ready to dive headfirst into trouble, his 10-year-old cousin Gwen is the voice of reason that tries to keep him from it, often unsuccessfully. Ben usually doesn't want to hear from her and thinks that (from his point of view) she doesn't know when to stop nagging him. Gwen is always trying to plan ahead and calculate the consequences of their (especially Ben's) actions. As such, she is convinced that Ben never thinks before he acts. She uses her laptop to research any strange people and/or creatures they might come across. Although the two of them bicker a lot, she continually tries to help Ben figure out how the Omnitrix works (much to her own dismay). She also seems to know martial arts. Most of the time, she holds Ben in constant contempt, but deep down has some respect for him.
Max Tennyson
Max is Ben's grandfather. With a keen sense for adventure and a strange taste in food, Max always ends up taking the kids (and their taste buds) on interesting trips. Max was in the army and has been through his share of scrapes, though Ben and Gwen do not seem to be aware of this. They believe him to have been a plumber. As soon as school lets out, Ben looks forward to going on a traditional summer road trip with Max. Much to Ben's dismay, he discovers that his cousin Gwen (who he dislikes) is joining them, as well. Thanks to what he's seen in his long life, Max takes his grandson gaining superpowers in stride, and he supports Ben in anyway he can. Max seems to know more about what's happening than he lets on, since he automatically recognizes Heatblast as an alien and describes chasing after Dr. Animo as "just like old times."
Vilgax
A vicious, intergalactic conqueror from an unknown alien species, Vilgax will stop at nothing to obtain the Omnitrix and use it to build an army capable of conquering every planet in the galaxy. After being severely injured after a final attack from the ship that was transporting the Omnitrix, he is confined to a regeneration tank, ordering his robotic minions and cosmic bounty hunters to track down the Omnitrix. Little does he realize that his minions are outsmarted and outfought by a 10-year-old boy.
Secondary characters
These are the secondary characters of the series. Each one has only appeared in one episode so far.
Aunt Vera
Vera is Ben's aunt, a stereotypical "senior citizen" who lives in a retirement community in the desert. The specific ___location is unclear. She seems to have a similar cooking taste to Max, making food that, while not as strange, is certainly unusual even for the current day and age. Her cooking habits are similar to those of women in the 1950's in that she makes gelatin molds with odd contents, such as pork chops. It is hinted that Vera might also have a strange past, as she says goodbye to Ben in Permanent Retirement; however, this may only have been done for comedic effect, and thus may have no actual bearing on the story.
Captain Shaw
Shaw is a fisherman. He relentlessly pursues the Krakken, a beast that roams the lake in which he fishes. Upon first seeing this creature, he swore to capture it in order to verify his claims. This mission has earned him a less than favorable reputation among the nearby residents. Most think of him as crazy. Ben helps him to reveal the existence of the Krakken, but Shaw is unable to capture it. He only appears once, in the episode The Krakken.
Doctor Animo
Doctor Animo was once a promising researcher in veterinary science. His career was cut short when it was discovered that he was performing twisted genetic experiments on animals. He had hoped that his research would win him the Verties Award, which is an award in veterinary science. Because of the nature of his research, he lost the award to another doctor, named Kelly. This drove him mad, and he dropped off the map for five years until he could perfect his research. In the episode Washington B.C., he finally finishes his work. By using the Transmodulator, a device of his own design, he could mutate animals into giant versions of themselves. The second phase of his work involved reanimating dormant cells, literally bringing dead animals back to life. All of this was in pursuit of the award which he had lost. His quest ended in failure, since Ben was there to stop him. He was arrested in that episode.
Hoverboard
Hoverboard is one of three alien bounty hunters sent to take the Omnitrix from Ben. He is from the same species that the Diamondhead form is based on. He has nearly impenetrable grey armor, a black helmet with a small, green triangle (presumably for sight) on it, and carries a large rifle. Unlike the other hunters, Hoverboard is allied against Vilgax.
Jonah Melville
Jonah Melville is a hunter of rare animals, more commonly known as a poacher. He takes the animals he captures and sells them to the highest bidder. He often uses the cover of an animal-rights activist in order to disguise his activities. He appeared in the episode The Krakken.
Kraab
Kraab is one of three alien bounty hunters sent to take the Omnitrix from Ben. He has gold armor, a sideways mouth, four scythe-like legs, and a large, powerful pincer on his left hand. Within the pincer is a power blaster. He can also use his legs to burrow under the ground and travel quickly from place to place.
Krakken
The Krakken is a massive sea-creature that lives in the lake Ben visits in The Krakken. The Krakken looks quite similar to a Plesiosaur, possibly being an off-shoot of that species. The main differences are that it has two tentacle-like tongues, each with a mouth on the end, and large skin-flaps connecting its fore-legs to its body. The Krakken seems to be very territorial, attacking anyone who disturbs its nest.
Limax
The Limax are shape-shifting aliens from an unknown world. They come to Earth to collect old people and devour them. The Limax apparently have a hive mind, being able to coordinate throughout a large area without any contact, though they do speak to each other. The Limax can merge with each other to form much larger versions of themselves. They melt when exposed to water. These aliens appeared in the episode Permanent Retirement.
Megawhatts
Megawhatts are mischievous little creatures composed of eletrical energy. They stand rough a foot high, have pointy legs (though they usually fly), and have only three fingers on each hand. They are black and yellow with plus and minus symbols on their back similar to a battery. They have a lightning bolt on their chest. The top of their heads constantly emit eletricity. They exist to cause trouble wherever they go. They grow stronger by absorbing electricity and can multiply if split in half or given enough power. Megawhatts appear in the episode Tourist Trap.
Sixsix
Sixsix is one of three alien bounty hunters sent to take the Omnitrix from Ben. He has purple armor and strange, clamp-like feet. He also has a jet-pack on his back. His armor is covered with pouches that hold various weapons and projectiles. He also has several small claws and a hand that extend from his shoulders. Unlike the other hunters, Sixsix only speaks in own language. The hunters can still understand him, though.
Upcoming characters
The episodes that these characters appear in have yet to be aired, so information on them is scarce. What little is known is what has been seen in episode descriptions and previews of upcoming episodes.
Hexlord
Hexlord is a magician who's powers seem to manipulate the luck of others. Hexlord will appear in the episode Lucky Girl.
Joey
Joey is a tough, female thief that is thwarted by Ben when she tries to rob a jewelry store. She then finds the remnants of one of Vilgax's defeated drones and becomes Rojo, a powerful cyborg. Joey will appear in the episode The Alliance.
Kevin
Kevin is a sociopath that Ben meets after having an argument with Max. Kevin is able to absorb any type of energy. He can also absorb the traits of those he comes into contact with, like the various aliens of the Omnitrix. Kevin will appear in the episode Kevin 11.
Zombozo
Zombozo is a zombie clown with psychic powers. He controls an entire circus of evil minions. Zombozo will appear in the episode No Laughing Matter.
Omnitrix
The Omnitrix is a watch-shaped, alien device that allows the wearer to transform into ten different aliens, each with its own special abilities. Each form is listed below. It works by binding alien DNA to the hosts genetic structure, effectively rewriting their DNA into the alien of their choice. The Omnitrix only allows the wearer to occupy a form for a limited amount of time, which seems to vary between forms. Ten minutes seems to be a rough estimate for the total time. The reason for this is unknown, but likely has something to do with the capacity of whatever powers the device and triggers the genetic changes.
Diamondhead
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Description |
Diamondhead is an alien who's body is made of an organic crystal that is harder than diamond, making him invulnerable to most physical attacks. He can make crude, yet sharp, tools from his body parts, allowing him to cut and slash his way through almost anything. His crystalline body-structure also allows him to reflect light- and beam-based weapons. Like any crystal, sonic weaponry will shatter his body. |
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First Appearance |
Episode #1 - And Then There Were 10 - Ben first transformed into Diamondhead when he needed to fight Vilgax's giant robot. |
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Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
Sonic-based attacks will shatter Diamondhead's crystalline body. His sharp edges also make it difficult to grab objects without slicing them. |
Fourarms
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Description |
Whenever Ben needs to smash, throw or beat up something, Fourarms is the hero of choice. Standing twelve feet tall, this formidable, four-armed alien can use his tremendous strength to dish out punishment, while his armored body protects him from harm. All the added muscle-mass and his large size make Fourarms slow and clumsy. |
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First Appearance |
Episode #2 - Washington B.C. - Ben first transformed into Fourarms when he needed to fight the giant mammoth that Dr. Animo had reanimated. |
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Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
His agility is limited and he is very clumsy, due to his large size and excess muscle-mass. |
Ghostfreak
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Description |
Ghostfreak is a shadowy, phantom-like alien, composed of a protoplasm that can change its density. This allows Ghostfreak to able to phase through matter and turn completly invisible at will. Ghostfreak only has one eye, but can position it almost anywhere on his body by moving it along a track traced on his skin. His ghastly appearance is also good for putting fear into the hearts of criminals everywhere. In fact, even Ben gets a little creeped out when he changes into Ghostfreak. Direct light will nullify Ghostfreak's invisibility. |
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First Appearance |
Episode #4 - Permanent Retirement - Ben first transformed into Ghostfreak when he wanted to get away from his aunt Vera for awhile. |
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Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
Direct light renders Ghostfreak's invisibility useless. |
Grey Matter
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Description |
At a mere five inches tall, Grey Matter is a part of an alien race bred to enter complex machines and repair them from inside. Consequently, he's able to squeeze through incredibly tiny spaces, and is extremely smart. When using this form, Ben gets an extreme boost of intelligence. |
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First Appearance |
Episode #2 - Washington B.C. - Ben first transformed into Grey Matter when he heard that a Gold Sumo-Slammer card could be found in a box of cereal. Gwen found him looking for the card in the cereal boxes at the supermarket.In episode Hunted, Ben transforms into Grey Matter to deafeat the 2 real bounty hunters.( The other one is actually an ally in the same species as Diamondhead). |
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Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
Grey Matter's size makes him weak and easily trampled. Unlike the other forms, he is not meant to be used for combat. |
Heatblast
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Description |
Heatblast comes from an alien race that lives on a star rather than a planet. He can project bolts of fire from his hands and mouth and create balls of fire that he can throw or roll. He can also absorb both flames and heat, meaning he can put out a fire as fast as he starts one. |
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First Appearance |
Episode #1 - And Then There Were 10 - Heatblast is Ben's first transformation, which was activated when Ben first began playing with the Omnitrix. |
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Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
Any items that extinguish typical fires, such as water, can kill Heatblast if used in excess. Otherwise, he'll just reignite after a short wait. |
Ripjaw
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Description |
The aquatic alien Ripjaw is an extraordinary swimmer. Like any aquatic creature, he can breathe underwater. He has a very large tail with fins that allows him to swim at incredible speeds. The tail can separate on land, revealing a pair of legs within. He's remarkably fast and agile in the water. He has sharp claws and powerful jaws that can unhinge to deliver a devastating bite. Ripjaw can only remain on land for a short time before needing to get back in the water. |
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First Appearance |
Episode #3 - The Krakken - Ben first transformed into Ripjaw in order to take the Krakken's eggs back from Jonah. |
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Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
Ripjaw is rendered useless on dry land, although he can breathe air normally; he does not walk very well and his gills must be kept wet or he'll dehydrate rapidly. |
Stinkfly
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Description |
Stinkfly is a winged, insectoid alien and expert flyer, able to pull off amazing acrobatic moves in midair. He can take care of himself in a fight, using his pincers and sharp tail as impressive natural weapons. He can also shoot slime from both his mouth and his four eye-stalks. Much like Earth insects, he has a tough exoskeleton, but very thin wings. |
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First Appearance |
Episode #2 - Washington B.C. - Ben first transformed into Stinkfly when he had to save Gwen after she fell from the Washington Monument. |
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Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
Like any insect, he is weak against poisonous gases and water. The latter of the two can render him incapable of flying if too much gets on his wings. |
Upgrade
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Description |
A living machine with a liquid, metallic body and a system of organic circuits, Upgrade is a biomechanical alien that can merge with any mechanical device, from a blender to a bicycle to a boat if need be. While merged, he can "upgrade" the device, making it far more advanced than any equivalent Earth technology. |
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First Appearance |
Episode #4 - Permanent Retirement - Ben first transformed into Upgrade to stop some criminals who were robbing an ATM. |
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Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
Acids and metal-corrosives can dissolve Upgrade. Electromagnetic pulses can also render him useless. |
Wildmutt
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Description |
Less humanoid than most of his forms and more akin to a canine, Wildmutt is a alien with super-human athletic ability and heightened senses of smell, hearing, and taste. The downside is that this form has no eyes. His lack of vision is supplemented by his hearing and smell, which works almost as well as actual vision (appears as red figures against a green backdrop). Wildmutt cannot communicate verbally, but can growl, grunt, and make other similar noises. The razor-sharp quills on his back act as projectile weapons, and he can fire them with amazing accuracy. |
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First Appearance |
Episode #1 - And Then There Were 10 - Ben first transformed into Wildmutt after his second experiment with the Omnitrix. This was the first intentional transformation. |
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Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
Since Wildmutt sees through hearing and smelling, he is useless when there is no sound present and nothing to smell. |
XLR8
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Description |
XLR8 (a pun on "accelerate") is a lizard-like alien with lightning-quick reflexes and the ability to reach speeds in excess of 300 mph. His speed power comes from manipulating friction, which allows him to run over almost any surface, including non-solid and slanted ones. XLR8 is noticeably weaker than most of the other alien forms, but makes up for it with his speed. XLR8 has trouble in the presence of strong magnetic fields, as they disrupt his nervous system. |
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First Appearance |
Episode #1 - And Then There Were 10 - Ben first transformed into XLR8 when he decided to play around a bit with his newfound power. |
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Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
Magnetic-based attacks cause XLR8's nervous system to go haywire. His strength is also noticeably lower than that of other alien forms. Grey Matter would be the obvious exception due to his size. |
Episodes
So far, 26 episodes have been ordered. Only the first 13 have titles at the moment.
Season 1
Trivia
- Ben 10 might be an alternate take on, or influenced by, Dial H for Hero - a comic from the 1960's. In that series, a teenager, named Robby Reed, found an alien device which would transform him into one of a thousand different super heroes. The device was shaped as a dial with HERO written on it. By dialing HERO, he would be transformed into a random superhero for one hour.
- Marvel Comics previously had a super-villain with a crystalline body called Diamondhead, who was one of Nova's arch-enemies.
- The villain looks much like the Weird and Wild Creature card Version of Cthulhu, having tentacles under his mouth. Vilgax is also is an alien much like The Great Old Ones.
- The basic set-up for the series is not too different from that of Bio-Booster Armor Guyver, wherein the protagonist can transform into a superhero using alien technology he came by accidentally in an out-of-the-way locale.
- The Omnitrix seems to malfunction when exposed to water. The only instance of this so far when Ben tries to use it to turn into Ripjaw and ends up becoming XLR8 instead.
- Ben 10 also has some unique similarities to the Ultraman television series. First, both Ben and the bearers of the Ultraman power use an alien object to shift from human to alien form (Ultraman bearers wore a pendant to shift while Ben carries the Omnitrix). Additionally, both have devices and powers that can be adversely affected by things in Earth's environment. Whereas the Omnitrix seems to malfunction in the presence of water in The Krakken, the Ultraman bearers could only maintain the Ultraman form for a limited time due to Earth's atmosphere. The Omnitrix also has a time limit, though the cause of it may not be for the same reason.
- The first episode name And Then There Were 10 is based on the book And Then There Were None.
Ben 10: Battle Ready game
Ben 10: Battle Ready is a Macromedia Shockwave-based online game on Cartoon Network's website. The game can be played here. Playing the game requires the latest Shockwave player. It can be downloaded and installed here if your browser does not do so for you.
Gameplay
Ben 10: Battle Ready is a top-down scrolling game where you play as Ben Tennyson. It consists of a staging level, ten training levels, and a boss level. The entire game takes place in a Sumo-Slammer card factory.
Within each level are enemies and barrels. The enemies come in many forms, most of which fire some type of laser. The barrels come in several different types. The main types are explosive and non-explosive. Explosive barrels explode after being damaged enough. There is a short wait between the damage caused and the resulting explosion, allowing you move out of the way. Non-explosive barrels take varying amounts of damage based on size and the current alien being used. Barrels will sometimes release health orbs.
In the staging level, you can test out the powers of each of Ben's alien forms. Each form has one specific attack that varies in overall strength between forms. A few have extra abilities, such as flight or passing through certain walls. You revert back to human form after a short while as each alien, but there is no wait time between transformations. Minor enemies roam around the level for you to test your powers on. Scattered about the level are terminals next to sewer-access ladders. Each one leads to a training level for a specific alien. They can be played in any order. On the far-right side of the level, there is a cracked wall. Once all of the training levels have been finished, this allows access to the boss level.
In each of the training levels, you play as one of the ten aliens. The change never wears out and you are unable to switch to another form. Enemies exist in these levels as well, and are encountered far more frequently. To complete and exit these levels, you must collect ten gold Sumo-Slammer cards. You can then leave through the exit, which is marked by a ladder with four green lights arranged in a square in front of it.
The boss level is fairly straight-forward. It starts as a narrow path leading to a blockade of barrels. Hitting one of the explosive barrels in the blockade will cause a chain reaction, clearing the blockade for you. The path then leads to an arena. A pit surrounds both the path and the arena, allowing you to fly over it as one of the two flight-equipped forms. A large number of enemies are scattered about the level, as well as the main boss, which is the same robot that Ben defeated in And Then There Were 10. Much like the staging level, you can use any alien form to fight the enemies. The only difference is that the time you can use them for has been shortened. The level is filled with barrels, allowing you to heal, if necessary. After damaging the boss enough, it will explode and you can play again.
Powers
Each alien form has different powers. These vary from attack strength, defense, special abilities, and speed. Attack damage is calculated by hits per enemy, and the normal amount is two hits per enemy. Defense remains the same through most forms. Speed remains constant throughout most forms as well. Neither is different unless noted otherwise.
- Ben Tennyson: Ben is your regular form. He attacks by punching enemies. His attack is half the normal amount, and his defense is the lowest of any form. Of course, you can change into any one of the ten aliens to avoid this.
- Diamondhead: Diamondhead can fire diamond shards as projectiles at his enemies. His attack, defense, and speed are all normal.
- Fourarms: Fourarms is the largest form. He attacks by punching enemies. His damage and defense is twice that of normal, but his speed is cut in half.
- Ghostfreak: Ghostfreak is one of the two aliens with flight. He can also pass through some walls and objects. He attacks by pushing everything in front of him. Ghostfreak's attack has the longest range of any form and doesn't stop until hitting the edge of the screen. It does normal damage. His defense, however, is half that of normal.
- Grey Matter: Grey Matter has the same abilities as Ben when used anywhere but his training level. In his training level, he has normal stats. He attacks by punching enemies.
- Heatblast: Heatblast can fire fireballs as projectiles at his enemies. His attack, defense, and speed are all normal.
- Ripjaw: Ripjaw has the normal stats when it comes to attack, defense, and speed. He attacks by biting enemies. When in his training level, he can move faster in the water.
- Stinkfly: Stinkfly is one of the two aliens with flight. Stinkfly can fire slime as projectiles at his enemies. His attack, defense, and speed are all normal.
- Upgrade: Upgrage can fire positronic blasts as projectiles at his enemies. His attack, defense, and speed are all normal.
- Wildmutt: Wildmutt has a unique method of attack. He curls into a ball and rolls at his enemies, causing cumulative damage as he does. This makes it hard for him to destroy explosive barrels safely, though. His attack, defense, and speed are all normal.
- XLR8: XLR8 moves twice as fast as any other alien. he attacks by tail-whipping his enemies. His attack is normal, but his defense is lower than normal.
Enemies
Ben 10: Battle Ready has a wide assortment of enemies, which are listed below.
- Standing robots: Standing robots come in two types: punching and laser. They look similar to Vilgax's robotic lieutenant seen in several episodes. As the names suggest, one punches to attack while the other fires lasers. Both take an average of two hits to destroy.
- Crawling robots: Crawling robots come in two types: large and small. These look similar to the drones seen repairing Vilgax's ship and Vilgax himself. As the names suggest, they come in large and small sizes. Each use a simple taser to attack you. Both take an average of two hits to destroy.
- Flying robots: Flying robots come in two types: normal and pop-up. The normal kind look like the drones seen in And Then There Were 10. The pop-up kind look similar, but hide inside their shells until they attack. The normal version will fire two lasers at a time, and does the most damage of any enemy. The second fires only one laser. Both take an average of two hits to destroy.
- Boss robot: This robot is the same robot that Ben defeated in And Then There Were 10. It does more damage than every other enemy, and has three attacks compared to the normal amount of one. The first attack is a forward slash that reaches several feet (relatively speaking) in front of it. The second attack is a laser barrage that reaches the same distance. The barrage can damage multiple times. The third attack is by far the most dangerous. The robot will spin its legs and start rolling around the level like a top. It moves very fast when doing this and can hit you many times in a row. If you are Stinkfly or Ghostfreak, you can fly over the pit to avoid it. If you are XLR8, you can run faster than it. Any other form will get run over easily. The robot takes a great many hits to destroy, so it will be a long battle.
Voice actor information
- Billy West - Kraab
- Dave Fennoy - Hoverboard
- Dee Bradley Baker - Limax, Robotic Lieutenant, Stinkfly, and Wildmutt
- Dwight Schultz - Doctor Animo
- Fred Tatasciore - Krakken and Ripjaw
- Jim Ward - Diamondhead, Captain Shaw, and XLR8
- Meagan Smith - Gwen Tennyson
- Miriam Flynn - Aunt Vera
- Paul Eiding - Max Tennyson
- Richard McGonagle - Fourarms
- Richard Steven Horvitz - Grey Matter
- Robin Atkin Downes - Jonah Melville
- Steven Jay Blum - Heatblast, Ghostfreak, and Vilgax
- Tara Strong - Ben Tennyson, Upgrade