Highbreed

This article belongs to the Classic Continuity

Highbreed
General Information
Home World	Augstaka
Body	Humanoid Plant
Power and Abilities
Abilities	Enhanced Strength Claw Projectiles Retractable Tentacles Foldable Wings Flight (via Foldable Wings) Enhanced Durability Enhanced Jumping Enhanced Speed (via Flight) Enhanced Reflexes Cold Immunity Electricity Immunity Fire/Heat Resistance Moisture Absorption
First appearance
First Appearance	Ben 10 Returns: Part 1
Gallery

“	Highbreeds were the very first race in the universe. All species hence, other than pure-blooded Highbreeds, are nothing but mongrels! Hideous abominations of nature! Especially humans.	”
– Reinrassig III explaining the Highbreed's wrongful belief.

The Highbreed (alternatively spelled as HighBreed), formerly known as Atasians from the genus of the same name, are a powerful species from the planet Augstaka, and were the main antagonists in the first season of Alien Force.

Appearance

The Highbreed were originally a white humanoid plant-like species with black hands and feet, a purple face with red eyes, along with red eyes on their chest. Above their black hands and feet are grayish splotches that temper off before the Highbreed's elbows and knees. They usually had four eyes on their face (though the count could range from three to six), and the placement of their eyes would sometimes differ.

The Highbreed had white skin flaps over their shoulders and stomachs, which could open to reveal two sets of wings with orange undersides and nutrient-collecting tendrils, respectively.

After the Omnitrix's DNA wave reconstructed the species' DNA, the majority of Highbreed now come in many different colors.

Highbreed with open wings and stomach

Wingless Highbreed, with closed stomach

The Highbreed from Grounded. The main difference is a little V below the neck.

Reinrassig III, before his transplant

Reinrassig III, after his transplant

The High Council, pre-DNA wave repair

The High Council, post-DNA wave repair

Bunker Highbreed

Alien Force Bailiff

Omniverse Bailiff

Behavior

Highbreed cell in the Omnitrix

The Atasians call themselves the Highbreed because they despise every other species and believe themselves to be "above" them. They also believe that they were the very first intelligent life-forms to ever exist in the history of the Universe, but they have no proof of it and simply made it up. Regardless, this belief is recorded in their accounts of history and, because of it, the Highbreed believe they are naturally afforded certain birthright advantages.

The Highbreed are xenophobic to the extent that they believe their DNA is the purest of all alien species, and seek to cleanse the universe of "lower life forms". To achieve this, they sent advance forces of Highbreed and Xenocites, who built massive teleporter gates in secret, through which the main Highbreed armada arrived and destroyed the natives and their planet.

The Highbreed make no effort to hide their hatred for other races; a Highbreed that Humungousaur fought openly and relentlessly insulted him with remarks like "filth" and "scum," and even said that Humungousaur had "infected" him when he bit his hand.

The Highbreed have great pride in the superiority of their home planet, and ensure that no other beings set foot on it.

History

Alien Force

Due to the Highbreed believing that their DNA is the purest of all alien species, they have tried to maintain their blood purity for so long that it has led to much inbreeding. This idea of racial purity became their undoing, as the lack of genetic diversity in the Highbreed gene pool weakened the species' immune systems over time, making them vulnerable to infection, disease and sterility. Eventually, their entire race was rendered completely sterile and without children, the Highbreed would become extinct. The Highbreed were dying out but did not wish to do so alone, spurring their xenocidal rampage throughout the universe to extreme levels. They wanted to take the rest of the universe with them by attacking any species they found or encountered and bringing them to extinction like they were. They are fiercely loyal to their commander, and for them, obeying orders and dying is more important for them than to live.

Council Highbreed after their DNA fusion

Ben used the Omnitrix to reconstruct the DNA of 99.99% of Highbreed in the universe with the DNA of the aliens in the Codon Stream. The shock of losing the genetic consistency that had been a pillar of their cultural identity for so long drives the council to immediately consider committing mass suicide as their only remaining honorable route. Reinrassig III then appears and convinces them that Ben helped them live again during their time alone together. The council then elects Reinrassig the new Highbreed Supreme. Afterwards, he declares that the war is over and thus they return home.

Powers and Abilities

• Enhanced Strength
• Claw Projectiles
• Retractable Tentacles
• Foldable Wings
• Flight (via Foldable Wings)/Enhanced Speed
• Enhanced Durability
• Enhanced Jumping
• Enhanced Reflexes
• Cold Immunity/Moisture Absorption
• Electricity Immunity
• Fire/Heat Resistance

1/11

Thanks to their massive size, Highbreed possess monstrous amounts of strength, although its level varies from specimen to specimen. Generally, they are capable of destroying concrete, as well as easily overpowering and swinging around Vaxasaurians at base size. Their strength ranges from being slightly weaker than Vilgax to substantially stronger.

Highbreed can rapidly shoot the tips of their claws as projectiles. They can also open their chest up, revealing root-like tentacles that they can use to drink water from the ground. Additionally, Highbreed can also absorb moisture into their bodies, as demonstrated when Big Chill used his freezing breath to rehydrate Reinrassig III.

Highbreed have two pairs of wings, which allow them to fly at high attitudes and speeds. These wings fold around their backs when not in use.

Highbreed have enhanced durability and reflexes, as well as enhanced jumping.

Highbreed can withstand a Methanosian's methane flames and a flurry of fire without suffering any visible damage.

Due to their native planet having a colder climate, Highbreed are adapted to low temperature climates and thrive in cooler conditions. They are also immune to electricity.

Weaknesses

Dehydration/Heat Exposure

Due to Augstaka being cold, Highbreed have difficulty surviving and operating in warmer climates, which will cause them to dehydrate if they do not return to a cooler climate.

Because of the Highbreed's inbreeding to maintain genetic purity, their immune systems were severely weakened and their reproductive systems were rendered completely sterile thanks to lack of genetic diversity. This changed after Ben hybridized them.

Technology

• Highbreed Cruiser
• Highbreed Destroyer
• Highbreed Tractor Beam Ship
• Highbreed Weather Array

Notable Highbreed

• Bunker Highbreed (deceased)
• Omniverse Bailiff
• Unknown (the Omnitrix's DNA sample of a Highbreed)

Notable Hybridized Highbreed

• Reinrassig III (Partial Methanosian arm; Highbreed Supreme)
• Former Highbreed Supreme
• Alien Force Bailiff
• Highbreed Councilors
• Highbreed Earth Commander

Appearances

Alien Force

Season 1

• Ben 10 Returns: Part 1 (first appearance)
• Ben 10 Returns: Part 2
• Max Out
• Alone Together (Reinrassig III)
• Darkstar Rising
• Undercover
• Birds of a Feather
• Grounded
• Inside Man (flashback)
• War of the Worlds: Part 1
• War of the Worlds: Part 2

Season 2

• Don't Fear the Repo (Bailiff)
• If All Else Fails (Bunker Highbreed)

Ultimate Alien

Season 1

• Fame (first reappearance; on TV; cameo)
• Andreas' Fault (photo)

Season 3

• The Ultimate Enemy: Part 1 (photo)

Omniverse

Season 6

• Universe vs. Tennyson (first reappearance; Bailiff)

Comics

Cartoon Network Action Packs

Alien Force

• Bad Boy

Video Games

Alien Force

• Ben 10: Alien Force (boss)

DVD Games

Alien Force

• Ben 10: Alien Force

Trivia

• Ironically, the name Highbreed sounds similar to "hybrid", a mix between two different species, despite them caring greatly about their "purity".
  • It may also foreshadow their fate, which was to become a species of hybrids at the end of War of the Worlds: Part 2.
• Before their DNA was rewritten in War of the Worlds: Part 2 and their point of view about other races changed, the Highbreed were very similar to the Nazi Party, as they were obsessed with racial "purity", despised all other races and tried to exterminate them.
• There are hundreds of millions of Highbreed.
• The Highbreed are visually based on, and evolved from, plants.
• The Highbreed do not wear clothes because they completely reject the customs of decency and galactic culture.
• At least one Highbreed gained Celestialsapien DNA after the DNA wave, but he probably can't use a Celestialsapien's innate abilities.
• Vilgax was ready to face the Highbreed invasions on his territories.
• Ben was not the only hero that thwarted the Highbreed's invasions, as heroes on many planets fought them locally.
• The Highbreed have a terrestrial anthem; one notable lyric from which is "As it should be!"
• Dwayne McDuffie got the idea for the Highbreed from bananas.
  • To explain this reference, beyond both Highbreed and bananas being plants, both have in common the fact that they have no genetic variation among their species, are sterile, and are vulnerable to deadly infections that take advantage of their lack of diversity. Modern bananas are duplicated through plant cloning as their seeds are far too small and completely inert, even if they could be fertilized.
• If the Highbreed appeared in Omniverse flashbacks, they would look exactly the same as they did in the previous two series.
• When asked what the name of a Highbreed Omnitrix transformation would be, Dwayne McDuffie said it was moot.
• In early development of Alien Force, the Highbreed were called DNAliens.
• The Highbreed had concept art drawn by Eric Canete, whereas their final design was created by Glen Murakami, with color styling by Chris Hooten.
• Dwayne thought of the Highbreed as Ben's most physically powerful enemy, although they aren't enemies anymore.
• Derrick J. Wyatt said that if Ben's Highbreed transformation had appeared in Omniverse, he would have been green-colored, in congruence with the species' hybridization in War of the Worlds: Part 2.
• Highbreed are in many ways similar to Terraformars from the Terra Formars manga.
  • Both species share strict social hierarchy and hatred for other intelligent lifeforms, particularly humans, whom they desire to exterminate.
  • Both species have evolved from certain creatures (plants for Highbreed, cockroaches for Terraformars) into towering humanoid expressionless aliens who thrive in cold climate.
  • Both species possess advanced intelligence and massive amount of physical strength, allowing them to lift multiple times their body weight and develop interplanetary travelling system. At the same time, both creatures have functional wings and ability to fly.

See Also

• Failsafe
• DNAliens