SWATbot (disambiguation)

The SWATbots are humanoid robot shock troopers from the "SatAM" (voiced by Jim Cummings) and Archie Comics Sonic the Hedgehog continuities. Designed by War Minister Julian (who would later become the evil Dr. Robotnik) for use during the Great War, early SWATbot units were initially under the control of the Kingdom of Acorn, but were reprogrammed when Julian rechristened himself Dr. Robotnik and took near total control of Mobius in the year 3224. Years later, Robotnik programmed all SWATbot units with the code "Priority One", which ordered them to specifically pursue the Mobian rebel Sonic on sight, who became the dictator's arch-nemesis. Several varieties of SWATbots exist in SatAM, including red-armored models that employ air bikes for higher mobility. There are also large, bulbous models resembling the hovercraft used by Dr. Robotnik and his few minions, which were sometimes referred to as 'security bots' and were able to fold up their limbs and use built-in wheels to travel like a car. The standard SWATbots were at first armed with blaster rifles with stun or kill settings which were slung on their backs when not in use, and later wrist-mounted laser weapons, as in the above image.

A bulkier, more formidable SWATbot breed exists in the TV series Sonic Underground. They come in several variations, use multiple vehicles, and all have orders to capture Sonic and his siblings. However, these SWATbots are incredibly inefficient, being vulnerable to water and having an easily accessed control panel on their arm. Maurice LaMarche provided the voices of the SWATbots.

History

Developed by War Minister Julian and his assistant Snively during the Great War, the original “Peace-Bots” were created to alleviate front-line casualties for the Kingdom of Acorn. The robots, along with the tactical genius of Julian, helped the embattled kingdom survive the conflict in relatively good order. After the closing days of the war, the Peace-Bots served as an interim police force in the capital of Mobotropolis, effectively preserving order in the war-weary city.

As the King approved Julian's plan to dismantle the military, he was unaware of the treason that his War Minister was brewing. Julian had no desire to scrap the robots. Instead, he altered the Peace-Bots programming to only obey him, and had his nephew Snively begin retrofitting them with laser weaponry.

On the darkest day of Mobian history, Julian, now Robotnik, used the rechristened SWAT-bots to surround the palace and capture the King, and then arrest the population of Mobotropolis at large. As the coup progressed, eventually 85% of the citizenry was rounded up and fed through the roboticizer, doomed to be slaves for the rest of their lives as Worker-Bots.

Since that fateful day, SWAT-Bots have been the mainstay of Robotnik's security forces, enforcing his iron will over all of Mobius.

Personality and Abilities

SWAT-Bots contain no personality. They are drones in every sense of the word. SWAT-Bots contain a rudimentary survival system, to avoid unnecessary destruction, but have no compunction about charging into the thick of battle. The robots only obey Dr. Robotnik and Snively.

Standard SWAT-Bots are humanoid shaped robots, shiny metallic black in sunlight or a dark blue at night. Standing at roughly six feet tall, SWAT-Bots view the world with a single red-tinted optical visor, which blinks when communicating or processing data. Melee spikes protrude from the joints and head, while large “fins” occupy the forearms.

Hover-SWATs are more alien in construction. A dull gray in color, with red highlights on the head and blue tones on their arms and chest. Consisting of an upper half of a torso, the Hover-SWAT is approximately three feet in height, not including the hover-sled, which adds another two feet. The sled itself, from bow to stern, appears close to six feet in length. Like their brother model, the Hover-SWAT observes the area around it with a single optical sensor, triangular in shape, with a purple tint. Their heads are long and sharp, extending back into a flat fin, which possibly helps for aerodynamics.

Since all SWAT-Bots come from an assembly line, each robot is identical in every manner possible.

Standard SWAT-Bots come equipped with retractable wrist lasers, finger light, and an on-board communication system. They can also wield laser rifles and grapple hook launchers. Standard SWAT-Bots pilot Robotnik's Hover-Units, Freighters, Hover-Tanks, and Mega-Muck Units.

As the backbone of Robotnik's forces, they have access to any and all facilities, vehicles, and technology in Robotropolis and elsewhere Robotnik controls. They are not very intelligent, easy to exploit programming, and cannot act without prior orders. They are larger than most Mobians, possess robotic strength, have large numbers, and work effectively as military units.

The SWAT-Bots are heavily depended upon by Doctor Robotnik to maintain his rule over Mobius. They are projections of his power, able to crush resistance wherever encountered and roboticize helpless Mobians into the growing horde of Worker-Bots slaving under his tyranny. SWAT-Bots react loudly at the sight of Freedom Fighters, and will chase them down relentlessly by any means possible. If Sonic is spotted, the SWAT-Bots all act under the “PRIORITY ONE” alert system, and will drop any other task to try and kill or capture him.

In the pilot episode “Heads or Tails”, SWAT-Bots were quite different in color and mannerisms. Instead of a uniform dark color, the robots sported an alternating gray and white paint job. They also had more of a personality, laughing at Snively's bumbling, then snapping back to attention as he pointed a dangerous remote in their direction. In this episode, the SWAT bots were voiced by Frank Welker. These designs and attitudes were summarily dropped for the rest of the series.

SWATbots appeared in Sonic Christmas Blast (though they look nothing like those seen in the Saturday morning cartoon).

In-game appearances

A new version of the SWATbot appears in Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, yet in game, they're referred to as very old models. They have armour that can only be pierced by high-power attacks or armour-piercing attacks. They can use a move called Crusher, in which they body-slam a member of Sonic's party, inflicting a special status that decreases their attack power. They are also capable of repairing themselves if they are defeated in combat but other foes remain on the battlefield at the end of the turn. They possess a weakness to water and earth-element attacks and resist all other elements. A trio of stronger SWATbots, dubbed SWATbot Mk.II, serve as the boss for the end of Chapter 3.

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