List of Ben 10 aliens
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The Omnitrix is a fictional alien device in the American animated television series Ben 10 that is capable of transforming its user into different alien forms.
Description
The Omnitrix is an alien device that attaches to the wrist of the user. When the button on the side is pressed, the face pops up and shows a silhouette of an alien. The face can then be twisted to select different aliens. By pushing the face back down, the Omnitrix binds the selected alien's DNA to the user's own, transforming them into the alien of their choice. Because of the manner in which it operates, the Omnitrix becomes difficult to remove once attached. Large amounts of energy seem to work, though not consistently, and removing it through amputation also works.
When used normally, the Omnitrix only allows the wearer to occupy a specific form for a limited amount of time, usually around ten minutes. When the Omnitrix is about to deactivate, it beeps and flashes red. When it finally deactivates, it remains red and is unusable until it recharges and turns green again. The recharge time is never consistent, even within a single episode, ranging from a few minutes to almost a quarter of an hour. It will also implement the wrong change on occasion. It has even refused to activate on several occasions, actually resisting Ben's attempts to push the face down. When damaged or under the influence of a virus, it can malfunction, causing strange mutations in the various alien forms.
Various methods exist to bypass its normal limits of the Omnitrix, most of which require some technical knowledge of the device. Four buttons on the face of the Omnitrix act as a combination lock for the Omnitrix's full potential. When the correct code (out of billions) is entered, the user can remain in any form indefinitely and switch between different forms at will. In the episode "Back With a Vengeance", Ben accidentally discovers this code, but is forced to clear it later in the episode. The Omnitrix can also be deactivated instantly by pressing the symbol seen on Ben's alien forms, though only Vilgax has shown the ability to do so.
Design
The Omnitrix is more lifeform than machine, being able to grow as any lifeform would to fulfill its function. Every part of the Omnitrix contains alien DNA, as well as its own power source. This is noted in "Dr. Animo and the Mutant Ray", where the face of the Omnitrix, when separated from the device, mutates several creatures and generates a massive amount of power on its own. The Omnitrix also has its own defenses against enemies, though such defenses are mainly in defense of itself and not its host. Should anyone attempt to remove it by force, it will emit a large feedback pulse to repel the assailant. Conversely, those who know how to operate it can do so safely, regardless of whether or not the current user wants them to. It will protect its host on occasion and can recharge instantly if the user is in danger, as it did when Ghostfreak tried to possess Ben in "Ghostfreaked Out" or when Kevin tried to skewer Ben in "Grudge Match".
The DNA in the Omnitrix is collected from various aliens across the galaxy. A few of the originating species have even been featured in various episodes. These include Hoverboard (a Petrosapien), Tini (a female Tetramand), and Ghostfreak (his personality was trapped within the Omnitrix). Several versions stored in the Omnitrix have noted enhancements from the species they're based on, removing some of the more debilitating weaknesses of those species.
It's been shown that each alien tends to have its own personality, which somewhat intermingles with Ben whenever he becomes them. Ben first notes this in "And Then There Were 10", where he says that it felt like he was both himself and someone else while being Heatblast. Ghostfreak, whose personality was trapped in the Omnitrix, had a particularly strong influence on Ben while Ben was using the form, thus Ben was usually apprehensive about using it. Grey Matter, on the other hand, shows a lighter side of the personality mixing. While in that form, Ben will often make a complicated scientific analysis, then have no idea what he meant by it.
The aliens have also been shown to age as the user does. Their outfits also update accordingly. The thirty-year-old Ben in "Ben 10,000" had alien forms with obvious differences to those of present Ben. Future's Ben's Stinkfly had much more pronounced insect features, his XLR8 was slightly taller and could move faster, his Heatblast had an extra set of flames sprouting from each shoulder, and his Wildmutt had a more feline appearance with stripes and a tail.
The Omnitrix also seems to adapt for gender. When Gwen gained the Omnitrix in "Gwen 10", her versions of the aliens copied her clothing scheme and were all female.
Original alien forms
In the first season, only ten aliens were on the Omnitrix. Other forms seem to be hidden, requiring specific circumstances to unlock them.
Diamondhead | |
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| Description | |
Diamondhead is a Petrosapien ("Petro-" referring to rocks, "sapien" referring to the vague similarities to humans) from the planet Petropia (a portmanteau of "Petro-" and "Utopia"). Petropia is a crystal-covered world, and its inhabitants are silicon-based lifeforms made from that crystal. The majority of its inhabitants live in underground kingdoms. The different types of gems denote different races, each with its own distinct abilities and culture, and most Petrosapiens coexist peacefully. Beforehand, there was a centuries-long war between them, which led to their inadvertent discovery of space. This stabilized their civilization, and they began to explore beyond their planet. Being made from crystal, Petrosapiens are extremely durable, and a massive amount of force is needed to cause them noticeable harm. Additionally, their sharp crystal bodies discourage physical contact. Petrosapiens can also alter their own physiologies, allowing them to regrow lost limbs if necessary or fashion crude weapons from their bodies. They can also fire crystal shards as projectiles and even grow crystal on other objects as well. Combined with their above-average strength (well above that of any human), Petrosapiens are literally living weapons. Being made of crystal, Petrosapiens can also use their bodies as prisms, refracting light and beam-based weaponry and sending it back at its source. The one drawback to their crystal form is the crystal itself, which will shatter if exposed to sufficiently strong sonic vibrations. While Petrosapiens can regenerate limbs, there is a limit to how much damage they can recover from. | |
| First Appearance | |
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Ben first transformed into Diamondhead in "And Then There Were 10" when he needed to fight Vilgax's giant robot. | |
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Fourarms | |
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| Description | |
Fourarms is a Tetramand (tetra meaning "four", mand being "arms") from the planet Khoros. Khoros is an undeveloped desert planet where survival of the fittest has a quite literal meaning. While once civilized, with a confederation of thriving city states, Khoros and its culture has since devolved into both a literal and metaphorical wasteland. Nomadic tribes ruled by bloodthirsty warlords roam the landscape, seeking out the relics of their former selves in the hopes of gaining an advantage in battle. Tetramands are a true product of their environment. With four powerful arms, armor-plated skin, strength beyond that of most species, and an average height of ten feet, Tetramands can take punishment as well as dish it out. With their incredibly strong legs, Tetramands can leap blocks at a time at a height of several stories. Their strength also enables them to use more specialized attacks, such as shockwaves resulting from the clapping together of their hands. Having all that extra muscle has its disadvantages, however. Tetramands are somewhat slow, relying more on strength than speed. As such, they tend to be easily struck. Their size also makes it difficult for them to use things designed by smaller species. Buildings, especially, are a problem for them, since they usually can't fit through the doors or in the rooms. Controlling their own strength is also a problem, and much of the damage they cause is purely unintentional. Fourarms is the most used alien in the series, which fits with Ben's style of fighting without much forethought. | |
| First Appearance | |
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Ben first transformed into Fourarms in "Washington B.C." when he needed to fight the giant mammoth that Dr. Animo had reanimated. | |
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Ghostfreak | |
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| Description | |
Ghostfreak is an Ectonurite (ecto playing on ectoplasm) from the planet Anur Phaetos (phaetos playing on phantom). Anur Phaetos is a mysterious world, if a world at all. None have seen it and lived to tell about the sight. Some urban legends claim it to be the source of galactic chaos, while others identify it as a dimensional realm instead of a planet. The only thing that can be said for certain is that it's dark, as befits its ghostly inhabitants. Ectonurites seem to be part of a hive mind, which is as dark as the world they live on. This mind is embedded in the very fabric of their being, and even a single strand of DNA can replicate it in its entirety. Ectonurites are perhaps the most frightening creatures in the galaxy. With an exposed and upside-down skull for a head, only one eye, dark blue skin, exposed bones on certain parts of their bodies, and blue claws, Ectonurites seem as if they belong in a horror film. Ectonurites are composed of a protoplasm that enables them to phase through solid objects and become invisible, much like modern ghosts. Their ability to pass through solid objects also enables them to possess people for limited periods of time. Ectonurites also have powerful psychic abilities such as telepathy and telekinesis, but the extent of these abilities remains unclear. Being creatures of the night, Ectonurites are extremely photosensitive. Intense light, especially sunlight, renders Ectonurites powerless and will cause them to combust with prolonged exposure. Ghostfreak, the version stored in the Omnitrix, was different from his kin. He had a second layer of protective skin, which allowed him to operate in sunlight. His one eye could also be moved along a track on the skin, which allowed Ghostfreak to have an eye on the back of his head. The second skin also toned down his normally frightening look, giving him the appearance of a more classic ghost. Since this version was created from a strand of Ectonurite DNA, Ghostfreak's mind remained intact and suppressed within the Omnitrix. He broke free in "Ghostfreaked Out", after which he tried to possess Ben to gain the Omnitrix's powers. Ben managed to destroy him before he could succeed. Ghostfreak has since been replaced by Cannonbolt in the show's opening sequence. | |
| First Appearance | |
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Ben first transformed into Ghostfreak in "Permanent Retirement" when he wanted to get away from his Aunt Vera for a while. | |
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Grey Matter | |
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| Description | |
Grey Matter is a Galvan (a play on galvanization) from the planet Galvan Prime. Despite being tiny compared to other planets, Galvan Prime is one of the most scientifically advanced worlds in the galaxy and home to one of the most powerful empires in existence. Industrialization has swept over the planet, practically eliminating any trace of nature. The Galvans originally had no empire to speak of, instead being kept as pets by other races. They were then employed by other species as industrial technicians, spies, and saboteurs once their intelligence became known. The Galvans were smart enough to keep the best technology for themselves, eventually founding a powerful empire based on the technology they had kept from the rest of the galaxy. The inhabitants of Galvan Prime work tirelessly and consume massive amounts of resources to remain a superior force in the galaxy. Being from a tiny world, Galvans are equally tiny, being only five inches tall on average. Their bodies consist of soft and flexible bones, allowing them to squeeze into tight spaces or quickly escape from danger. With their slimy skin, Galvans can stick to almost any surface. The slime also makes them equally difficult to grab. Not built for combat, Galvans evade and outsmart their enemies, rather than fight them head on. They are raised to be extremely intelligent, and bred to enter complex machines and operate them from the inside. This allows them to understand and operate virtually any machine, even if they've never seen it before. Despite their advanced science, Galvans are easily stomped on because of their small size. When using Grey Matter, Ben benefits from the enhanced intelligence of the form. Like any Galvan, Ben can discern the purpose of most devices after a simple glance, and can operate any device he can get ahold of. Ben is often surprised by what he knows when using this form, and doesn't always fully comprehend it. | |
| First Appearance | |
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Ben first transformed into Grey Matter in "Washington B.C." 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. | |
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Heatblast | |
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| Description | |
Heatblast is a Pyronite (pyro meaning fire) from the star Pyros. Pyros is unique in the galaxy, being the only homeworld that doubles as a fully functioning sun. The surface of Pyros is like any star, but also semi-solid in some places. Solar flares and magma flows are common, and its magma-based inhabitants are all composed of a flame-like energy. They even draw strength and nourishment from the heat of the star itself. Being from a star, Pyronites have limited contact with other species. Those few seen are those who have left their homeworld. Constantly bombarded by extreme heat, Pyronites have learned to control heat through willpower alone. Pyronites can produce heat from their bodies, creating flame. They can mold the flame into many forms, and even project it at their enemies. Pyronites can also absorb heat, so they can put out the fires they start. Being made of living flame, Pyronites do not respond well to those things that extinguish it. While small amounts of such materials simply evaporate, large amounts can kill a Pyronite. Their unique physiology also causes strange reactions when dealing with terrestrial viruses. When affected by the common cold, a Pyronite's normally heat-based physiology is reversed, giving them control over cold instead of heat. | |
| First Appearance | |
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Heatblast is Ben's first transformation, which was activated in "And Then There Were 10" when Ben first began tampering with the Omnitrix. | |
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Ripjaws | |
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| Description | |
The aquatic alien Ripjaws is a Pisccis Volann of the water planet Pisccis (a play on "Pisces", Latin for fish). Pisccis is one giant ocean, home to thousands of exotic species. While most Pisccians live in schools because of the safety in numbers, there are few feelings of family or friendship between them. The creatures of this world get all the more dangerous as the depth increases. Volanns are not the biggest fish in the Pisccian sea, but are definitely the most dangerous. Part alligator, part eel, and part leech, few can match the Volanns underwater. With their powerful tails and slimy scales, Volanns are capable of incredible speed and agility in the water. Volanns have huge mouths filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth that can chomp through almost anything, and their lower jaw unhinges to allow them to swallow objects in a single bite. Alternatively, Volanns can use their claw-tipped fins to rip their enemies to shreds. Volanns can also withstand a remarkable amount of pressure, and their luminescent danglers allow them to see in the darkest of depths. Being creatures of the sea, Volanns are useless on land, being unable to walk and only able to breathe for short periods at a time. Volanns must keep their gills wet or they'll dehydrate rapidly, causing them to suffocate on dry land. Ripjaws, the version stored in the Omnitrix, has a pair of legs hidden within his tail, allowing him to move on land. | |
| First Appearance | |
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Ben first transformed into Ripjaws in "The Krakken" in order to take the Krakken's eggs back from Jonah Melville. | |
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Stinkfly | |
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| Description | |
Stinkfly is a Lepidopterran from the planet Lepidopterra (a play on lepidoptera, the scientific name for butterflies and moths). Lepidopterra is a swamp planet whose numerous species live among a wide variety of giant plants. Residing in a complex of giant hives, each ruled by its own queen, Lepidopterrans are the predominant species on the planet. Life on Lepidopterra is seasonal, and every species plays a part in keeping the ecosystem healthy. Lepidopterrans are an intelligent insectoid race that are masters of the air. With their transparent wings, ultra-sensitive antennae, and sturdy exoskeletons, Lepidopterrans travel far and wide to collect pollen for harvest. Depending on the plant, Lepidopterrans are capable of manufacturing a wide array of goos and gasses in their pollen ducts, ranging from an immobilizing jelly to a potent stinging spray to a highly combustible toxin. Lepidopterrans have amazing speed and agility in the air thanks to their thin, rapidly flapping wings. While designed mainly for grappling, the hard spikes on their forearms can also be used as weapons in battle. Like most earth insects, Lepidopterrans are extremely vulnerable to any kind of chemical poison or gas. Although their exoskeleton bodies are fairly strong, their wings are extremely fragile and easy to damage. Water also renders their wings useless. They must remain in constant motion to avoid being stuck on the ground permanently. | |
| First Appearance | |
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Ben first transformed into Stinkfly in "Washington B.C." when he had to save Gwen after she fell from the Washington Monument. | |
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Upgrade | |
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| Description | |
Upgrade is a Galvanic Mechomorph of the planet Galvan B, a formerly uninhabited moon orbiting Galvan Prime. Though originally uninhabited, Galvan B was accidentally brought to life by an environmental disaster involving nanotechnology. While mining the planet, Galvan scientists introduced self-replicating nanotechnology to the moon, which bonded with the moon's minerals and created sentient life. Galvan B still appears to be an uninhabited moon on the surface, but this is only because the nanotechnology devours anything unfortunate enough to land on its surface. Galvanic Mechomorphs are built from the nanotechnology that covers their planet. They are biomechanical beings with liquid metallic skin and complex systems of self-forming organic circuits. Being made of nanotechnology, Mechomorphs can merge with and upgrade any technology within reach by spreading over it like liquid, enhancing it far beyond its original design. While merged with a device, Mechomorphs possess it, controlling it as they would their own bodies. The same does not hold true for biological creatures, however. Even when not merged with a machine, Mechomorphs can create simple technology by reconfiguring themselves. The plasma beams they produce are the main example of this, as well as their primary means of defense. Being highly sensitive machines at their core, electromagnetic pulses, acid, or any other sort of corrosive can upset their delicate internal workings and wreak havoc on their systems. Upgrade is the only form where Ben's voice does not change, apart from the more computerized tone behind it. | |
| First Appearance | |
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Ben first transformed into Upgrade in "Permanent Retirement" to stop some criminals who were robbing an ATM. | |
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Wildmutt | |
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| Description | |
Wildmutt is a Vulpimancer from the planet Vulpin (a play on vulpine, which means fox). Vulpin is a pitch black planet at the edge of the galaxy, used as a dumping ground for everything the rest of the galaxy wants disposed. The ecosystem of the planet has been poisoned beyond compare because of this, and the few creatures that survive here do so under subzero temperatures. Vulpimancers are one of the few creatures to survive on Vulpin, and are no less mutated than the planet itself. Ranging from human size to several times the size of a human, Vulpimancers share few common characteristics. Vulpimancers do not seem too friendly with their own kind, but this is a common trait amongst animals that aren't family. More animal than humanoid, Vulpimancers live for the moment, hunting down whatever they can find and moving on to the next meal. Vulpimancers can move at high speeds in almost any terrain using their powerful, apelike arms. Vulpimancers have incredible athletic ability and heightened senses of smell, hearing, and taste, but no sense of sight. This is supplemented with the porcupine-like quills on their back, which serve both as weapons and finely tuned sense receptors that can sense things most other creatures can't. From sound to heat, few things escape a Vulpimancer's notice. In battle, the quills on their backs can be fired like projectiles, and are as sharp as spears. While rolling, Vulpimancers become spiked balls that nothing can touch. Because they have no eyes, Vulpimancers to have some trouble with finer movement, and a select few enemies have ways of getting close to them undetected. Vulpimancers also lack complicated verbal communication, instead relying on snarls and growls, so they can't talk down a powerful enemy. Because they rely on their sense of smell and hearing to see, they are vulnerable to strong smells and loud noise and are rendered useless if their noses or ears are clogged. | |
| First Appearance | |
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Ben first transformed into Wildmutt in "And Then There Were 10" after his second experiment with the Omnitrix. This was the first intentional transformation. | |
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XLR8 | |
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| Description | |
XLR8 (read as "accelerate") is a Kineceleran (a portmanteau of 'kinetic' and 'accelerate') from the planet Kinet (the first part of kinetic, which is movement energy). Kinet is an electrically charged world, where electrical storms rapidly orbit the sun and everything is accelerated. On Kinet, days become minutes and a lifetime happens in little more than a few weeks. With all the acceleration, the environment is constantly changing, and Kinetan society is constantly adapting to it. Kinecelerans are vaguely elfin in appearance, with long hair, blue skin, pointed ears, large tails, and oversized feet. Like their homeworld, Kinecelerans are accelerated, and live their lives just as quickly as their planet changes. Kinecelerans are naturally suited to speed, being able to reach speeds of more than 500 miles per hour by Earth standards. This extreme speed comes from manipulating friction, which allows them to run up walls and create huge stores of static electricity to unleash upon unsuspecting opponents. Despite their speed, Kinecelerans aren't warriors. They aren't built to fight, nor do they stop to think about their next move. Kinecelerans natural speed is useless on non-solid ground like mud, ice, and especially water, which causes them to lose control of their momentum. Water is especially problematic, as it does not go well with the static electricity they build up from their constant movement. The most adept Kinecelerans are able to enter the mythical "speed zone", an entirely different temporal dimension where the rest of the world stops and reality takes on different rules. The biggest threats to Kinecelerans are magnets and charged pulses, which causes them to lose their footing and spin out of control. XLR8, the version in the Omnitrix, has several modifications which seem to prevent him from building up excess static electricity. These include his helmet, visor, and wheeled feet. He is also able to run on slippery surfaces and even water with ease, in contrast to the rest of his species. | |
| First Appearance | |
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Ben first transformed into XLR8 in "And Then There Were 10" when he decided to play around a bit with his newfound power. He used it to get revenge on some bullies that he fought with earlier in the episode. | |
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Other alien forms
In the second season, Ben begins discovering new alien forms as a result of random transformations. Accessing these aliens seems to be more difficult than the first ten forms, but become simple to access after the first transformation. Cannonbolt and Wildvine were the first two to be discovered by Ben. More will appear in the third season. Of the known forms are Benwolf, a humanoid wolf with a mouth reminiscent of a Predator, and Upchuck, a green alien with black eyes and what appear to be gills; no other information is available on them.[1][2]
Cannonbolt | |
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| Description | |
Cannonbolt is an Arburian Pelarota (based on pelota, meaning "ball" and rota, a play on "rotation"), though they are now mostly (if not completely) extinct. The Great One destroyed their planet roughly a week before Ben discovers the form. Cannonbolt is a hulking, broad-shouldered alien covered in bony armor plating and can roll into a ball like an armadillo or pillbug. He can then roll into enemies as an attack, as well as ricochet off most any surface. Apart from this, Cannonbolt is extremely clumsy and slow when in regular form, as his bulk, high center of gravity, and stubby legs restrict him from balancing well, frequently causing him to fall on his back or face. He is the first new alien to appear on the Omnitrix. The information from the Bandai Alien Collection toy for Cannonbolt is somewhat contradictory to that given in the show. The profile that comes with the toy refers to his species as a Vulpinic Tortugan (tortuga is Spanish for "turtle") from the planet Vulpin, which Wildmutt is also from. The profile also suggests that Cannonbolt is capable of releasing a powerful chemical blast, though it doesn't explain where that chemical is released from. Cannonbolt replaces Ghostfreak in the show's opening sequence in the third season, though Ghostfreak still appears in the final swirl at the end of the sequence. | |
| First Appearance | |
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Cannon Bolt first appears in "The Big Tick" as an accidental transformation. | |
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Slamvine | |
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| Description | |
Slamvineis a plant-based alien with five legs, four-fingered claws, and venus flytrap-shaped flaps covering his head. He can grow any part of his body fairly quickly, allowing him to stretch his limbs or grow spikes at will (thus making sharp claws). He also has eight regrowable pods on his back that act as powerful explosives. What weaknesses, or any extra benefits, this form may have are unknown, since it has had limited screen time thus far. However, given the fact that he is a plant, it seems reasonable to assume that Wildvine would be stronger in sunlight (owing to photosynthesis) and would likely be vulnerable to temperature extremes and herbicides. Wildvine is the second new alien to appear on the Omnitrix. | |
| First Appearance | |
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Slamvine first appears in the episode "Camp Fear" as an accidental transformation. | |
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Future aliens
In the episode "Ben 10,000", a thirty-year old version of Ben demonstrates three more aliens not yet accessible by the present Ben. The first is Spitter, a large, blowfish-like alien with the power to spit slime at high pressures. The second is a Omnitrix-colored version of a Megawhatt. The last alien is a blue, lizard-like alien named Articguana that has freezing breath.
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Spitter
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Megawhatt
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Articguana
References
External links
- The official Ben 10 website
- Ben10Toys.net, a fan-maintained site about the toys based on the Omnitrix's aliens.