This article belongs to the Classic Continuity |
Microchips[1] (also known as Drones,[2] Chips,[2] Alien Chips,[2] Nanites,[1] Nanochips,[DVD 1] or The Swarm)[DVD 1] are living microscopic alien nanites used in Ben 10: Alien Swarm by the Hive.[note 1]
Appearance[]
The Microchips are carbon-silicon based technological life forms[3][2] that are small in size and shaped like diamonds. They are yellow/orange/red in Alien Swarm but are blue in Ultimate Alien.
History[]
Alien Force[]
The Queen produced Microchips from her body, and after she took up residence in Victor Valadis' body, she produced them from there. The Queen was destroyed by Nanomech.
Ultimate Alien[]
The Microchips surprisingly returned in Revenge of the Swarm. The team discovered that the Microchips took over Elena Valadis' mind and had made her the Queen of the Hive. After Elena sacrificed herself for Ben by destroying her Microchip self, the chips still had some life in them.
They reappeared in The Perfect Girlfriend, in which it was revealed that Elena and the Microchips were still alive. Elena used them to disguise herself as Julie, so she could have Ben for herself. When Ben discovered the truth, Elena used her Microchip form to fight him as Ultimate Echo Echo. She nearly killed him by choking him with the chips, but the real Julie convinced her otherwise. Promising that she would return, Elena and the chips retreated into a sewer.
Omniverse[]
Under unknown circumstances prior to The Most Dangerous Game Show, Elena was separated from the Microchips.[DJW 1] It is currently unknown what happened to the Microchips, or who their current host is.
Powers and Abilities[]
Microchips individually may be weak, but in swarms they are lethal and very dangerous. Microchips are capable of controlling technology, as demonstrated by Elena Valadis, who stopped an elevator from crushing Spidermonkey.[4]
Swarms of Microchips are able to shapeshift with limitless potential, as they are perfectly able to mimic the appearances and voices of humans (notably Victor Valadis and Julie Yamamoto).[1] They are also capable of also mimicking objects, such as the Mark 10.[1] Additionally, swarms of Microchips can become new beings altogether, such as the Living Buildings.[4]
After shapeshifting (depending on what they turn into), a swarm of Microchips will have enhanced strength, as shown when Elena was able to knock Ultimate Echo Echo through a wall and effortlessly lift Armodrillo[1] and Julie into the air.[4] They can also become elastic after shapeshifting.[4]
Microchips can generate electricity and energy tentacles, as demonstrated by the Decoy Queen.[2] Microchips can also possess humans by burrowing under their skin.[2]
Swarms of Microchips can ensnare and suffocate their opponents, as demonstrated when they ensnared Armodrillo and nearly suffocated Ultimate Echo Echo.[1]
Being the size that they are, Microchips can easily maneuver through small spaces, even in swarms.[1][4]
Microchips can fly around at high speeds and levitate.[2][4]
Weaknesses[]
Microchips are vulnerable to electricity, as demonstrated when Nanomech defeated the Decoy Queen,[2] as well as when Elena used a force field of electricity to stop her Microchips from escaping.[1]
Microchips can become incapacitated by sonic vibrations. They will also become destabilized if they're shapeshifted.[4]
Microchips can become frozen in ice, such as Big Chill's freezing breath.[2]
Notable Microchips[]
- Decoy Queen (deceased)
- Living Buildings (destroyed)
Notable Microchip Hybrids[]
- Nanomech (the Omnitrix's DNA sample of a Microchip/Human hybrid)
- Nanomech (the Power Watch's DNA sample of a Microchip/Human hybrid)[5]
- Elena Valadis (human merged with Microchips; formerly)
- Ultimate Kevin (part Microchip)
Appearances[]
Alien Force[]
Movies[]
- Ben 10: Alien Swarm (first appearance)
Ultimate Alien[]
Season 3[]
- Revenge of the Swarm (first reappearance)
- The Perfect Girlfriend
Online Games[]
Alien Force[]
Trivia[]
- Despite sometimes being referred to as nanites, the Microchips are not related to the nanites from Generator Rex.[ES 1]
- In Dimension 23, Microchips such as Teeny-Weeny exist as a sapient species known as Nanomites with their own civilization in the galaxy.[DJW 2]
- Derrick believed that the Microchips will eventually evolve into tiny "Nanomechs" that will become a full alien race with a civilization.[DJW 3]
- While Microchips did not appear in the Reboot continuity, the Xerge introduced in the Ben 10,010 special have a similar role.
Notes[]
- ↑ In Ben 10: Alien Swarm, the Microchips were referred to as drones or chips. Despite this, on December 5, 2009, a page for the technology was created by an anonymous user referring to them as Nanochips. The episode Revenge of the Swarm would refer to the drones/chips as "Microchips" and "Nanites". The Ben 10 Ultimate Alien: The Return of Heatblast DVD released in 2012 would later use the term "Nanochips" for its blurb on the back cover and the Ultimate Alien Database,[DVD 1] marking the first official use of the term. The term was also later used in the synopsis for Revenge of the Swarm provided on the Cartoon Network website.[CN 1] As such, the wiki considers "Microchips" to be the foremost name for this technology as the term was used in the show.[BTP 1]