9 for 10 - 'Tools of Destruction' Quiz

Answer: Groovitron

The Groovitron is one of those items which was in development purgatory for many games until it was finally deemed suitable enough for inclusion in 'Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction'. What I mean by this is, it was thought that it trivialised the difficulty of the game. Thankfully, though, it found a home in 'Tools of Destruction' as a device. Ratchet can hold up to three Groovitron orbs at a time, and temporarily cause any enemy in the vicinity to spontaneously burst into dance, allowing Ratchet to let off a few hits without fear of being harmed.

The Groovitron is perhaps best utilised when he is surrounded by a number of enemies. The devices vendor sells Groovitron orbs for 500 bolts each, and the vendor on Cobalia sells the Golden Groovitron for 2,000,000 raritanium in Challenge Mode.

The Golden Groovitron features unlimited Groovitron orbs, allowing Ratchet to activate them wherever and whenever he pleases.

Answer: Enforcer

Ratchet and Clank first see the Enforcers in Metropolis, but they aren't fought until they get to Zordoom Prison on the planet Viceron. For those who have played 'Ratchet & Clank 2: Locked and Loaded' (or, if you prefer, 'Ratchet & Clank 2: Going Commando'), you'll find the Enforcers resemble the B2 Brawler from the Maktar Resort's battle arena. But, unlike the B2 Brawler, they don't use spinning leg attacks and aren't sentient beings on their own.

These Drophyd-controlled machines pack a surprising punch, so strafe-jumping is an effective method to avoid their attacks.

Answer: Lombax Ruins

Fastoon is the home of the Lombax race. Or at least, it *was* the home of the Lombaxes before they disappeared thanks to the war with the Cragmites. After Ratchet and Clank's escape pod from the Hall of Knowledge crash landed on Fastoon, they set about finding six Lombax flight components to repair a broken ship. The heroic duo later return to Fastoon to confront Emperor Tachyon himself.

Answer: Aphelion

Restored to its (her) former glory thanks to the mechanical handiwork of Ratchet, Aphelion becomes Ratchet and Clank's new primary form of transport, featuring a sentient on-board computer system. Armed with missiles and cannons, Aphelion also excels in combat during the interstellar space-fight sequences.

It's not until 'Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time' that Aphelion's weapons and defences get a well-needed upgrade thanks to the mystical power of the Zoni.

Answer: Negotiator

Filling the role of the staple rocket launcher, the Negotiator becomes available for purchase from GrummelNet weapon vendors when Ratchet and Clank reach the infamous Zordoom Prison. Despite its slow firing rate, the Negotiator packs a punch, and its level 5 upgrade, the Judicator, fires three rockets at once, giving it the potential to hit multiple enemies with a single pull of the trigger.

As with all other weapons, raritanium can be used to increase its damage, its ammunition capacity, and, of course, its rate of fire.

The Negotiator (and indeed the Judicator) returned in 'Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time'.

Answer: Ardolis

Arr, the Pirate Base be crawlin' with the minions o' Cap'n Slag, guardin' the Lombax artefact they plundered from Max Apogee, Talwyn's old man. The team infiltrate the base, making their way past the pirates and their defences and taking a leisurely ride on a Pirate Radio hovership.

After recovering the artefact and making a hasty escape, Ratchet and co. discover the artefact points to former Lombax colonies. They set off for the planet Rykan V in search of more clues to the disappearance of the Lombaxes.

Answer: Talwyn

When Ratchet and Clank reach the Apogee Space Station in the Nundac Asteroid Ring, they find the station inaccessible. That is, until they stumble across the Smuggler again, who very kindly offers them the use of a transport shuttle to access the space station, in return for a few Leviathan souls. Ratchet and Clank oblige and soon find themselves inside the moonbase. Getting through its defences is no walk in the park, but they make some valuable allies when they reach the central control room and meet Talwyn Apogee, the daughter of explorer Max Apogee, who also sought Lombax artefacts.

Answer: One Heckuva Peephole

This small area of the planet can't be accessed on Ratchet's first visit, due to Clank not having the required Geo-Laser upgrade. Clank acquires this upgrade at the Apogee Space Station, courtesy of the Zoni. Returning to planet Mukow armed with the Geo-Laser allows Clank to break through a small section of a wall on the path to the Imperial Fight Festival arena. Doing so unlocks the skill point, as well as rewarding the duo with another gold bolt and several crates containing raritanium.

Answer: Raritanium

In 'Ratchet & Clank', the duo briefly obtained a single piece of raritanium on the planet Hoven, which they then traded to a scientist on Pokitaru for the Persuader. In 'Ratchet & Clank 2', raritanium was obtained by drilling into the ground on Tabora and Grelbin, and was used to upgrade Ratchet's ship.

In 'Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction', raritanium is considerably more abundant than before, dropping from defeated enemies and contained within hidden chests. This raritanium is then used to upgrade Ratchet's weapons at GrummelNet weapon vendors and to purchase the Golden Groovitron from the Cobalia device vendor.

Answer: gelanator

The Gelanator can extract the gelatonium from pump stations and subsequently fire cubes of the green, gloopy substance for Ratchet to bounce on. Gelatonium plants crop up on Cobalia, Sargasso and Jasindu, allowing Ratchet to reach new heights and cross rivers of gelatonium. Where there is gelatonium, however, there are usually Tumfoids, small robotic creatures with an insatiable appetite for the substance. Creating a cube in their vicinity is like catnip to them, causing them to devour the cube until it disappears.

It's important, therefore, for Ratchet to position his cubes strategically and act quickly before they disappear.