Test dummies are robots in Ratchet & Clank, the 2016 re-imagined game, Going Commando, and Up Your Arsenal. They are used by Gadgetron Corporation and Megacorp to test new products, including weapons. Many are fought as enemies, using Gadgetron weapons including the Bomb Glove, Pyrocitor, and the Walloper.
History[]
Ratchet & Clank[]
In the original release, the test dummies were fought as enemies in the Gadgetron site, Kalebo III, during "Get past the blarg". Ratchet and Clank were locked in three Weapons Testing Labs unable to escape until all were destroyed, and a fourth testing lab outside Wendell Lumos' office. Later, the test dummies were racers competing in hoverboard racing events. After Ratchet won against the test dummies, Wendell Lumos gave him the Hologuise and made him a sponsor for Gadgetron's hoverboards.
Re-imagined[]
In Qwark's version of events, test dummies were initially fought by Ratchet on Veldin during the Galactic Ranger tryouts in "Head to the fairgrounds". Ratchet had to get past them to proceed further. The test dummies were later fought in the Gadgetron Headquarters on Kalebo III, hijacked by the blarg to attack Ratchet. They were present in the Tiki Lounge on Pokitaru, though they did not fight back here. They were also fought in two Weapons Testing Labs, though the third lab did not produce any test dummies and instead only produced harmless sheep. Finally, they were fought in the test lab outside Lumos' office.
These same robots appear as regular civilians, watching hoverboard races on Rilgar and Kalebo III.
Going Commando[]
Test dummies appeared in the Megacorp commercial for the testing facility on planet Dobbo, and were also seen in an employee breakroom with Qwark, who they also prepared for Crotchitizer testing.
Up Your Arsenal[]
Test dummies appeared in a series of challenges on the VR deck on board the Starship Phoenix.
Characteristics[]
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Concept art for the re-imagined release.
In most releases, test dummies are small, metal robots, with yellow and black eyes, and red highlights. They have a sphere used for movement in place of legs. Test dummies appear unintelligent, being incapable of speech and sometimes targeting nothing at all.
In the re-imagined release, test dummies are instead completely yellow robots, with a single green eye, and a Gadgetron logo on their chest. Their right hand contains a flamethrower weapon, in place of them carrying their own weapon. They otherwise retain the humanoid appearance with a sphere for movement.
Combat[]
Test dummies inside the VR deck on the Phoenix.
In the original Ratchet & Clank test dummies only sometimes target Ratchet, and at other times target nothing at all (or even accidentally hitting each other). They have little armor and do not pose a threat on their own, and the only threat comes from their numbers or the unpredictable nature of their attacks. Most weapons are useful against them, and the Tesla Claw and Pyrocitor are particularly effective. In the re-imagined release, the Groovitron may be required when they overwhelm Ratchet, but otherwise, the Proton Drum is most effective.
In Up Your Arsenal, they will pose more of a threat due to their greater numbers and improved intelligence. Pyrocitor-wielding dummies are particularly threatening due to their constant flames up close, whereas the other two variants are easier to dodge. At the time encountered all four available weapons are effective, with the Nitro Launcher being the most useful for the largest groups, the Shock Blaster and N60 Storm being strong against those further away. The Plasma Whip is the most effective weapon, however, as it can target all close-by dummies with little effort, and still be thrown to hit those further away.