For as long as this site has been online, Botch the Crab has been its official figurehead and mascot: a Decepticon by allegiance, a cassette by function, a crab by choice, and stalker of the shadows by necessity. Over the years, despite his snappish and reclusive ways, Botch has managed to inspire some fans to illustrate and even kitbash some tributes to him. (The ultimate goal is to one day get a small run of actual Botch toys produced by a third party.) Below is Botch's bio as well as many of those fantastic illustrations. Enjoy, and feel free to contribute!

BOTCH

ALLEGIANCE: DECEPTICON

FUNCTION: ESPIONAGE

"Victory is decided in the planning stages."

Profile: Botch is alone in a crowd and likes it that way. His preoccupation with dispassionate logic and strategy, in warfare and everything else, alienates him from most of his fellow Decepticons. He is a loyal Decepticon only insofar as he believes their victory is logically inevitable; otherwise, he would probably consider defection. Botch is part of a trio of cassettes -- himself, Bungle and Fuck-Up -- orphaned from their host communicator. He is the de facto leader of the group by virtue of his role as strategist and because he would logically not have it any other way. Though he boasts an emotionless demeanor, in conversation he is cynical of others and bitterly sarcastic. Botch's name reflects an early incident in his career that branded him a clumsy failure; whereas he formerly strove to live it down, familiarity and his uncaring facade have made it a non-issue, even possibly a badge of pride.

Abilities: Botch's primary tool is his cloaking field, which can render him invisible to electromagnetic detection. In subdued light, he can virtually disappear. As a crab, his six legs are magnetized, allowing him to climb across most walls and ceilings. His claws can tear through 3" steel, and he wields twin sub-automatic acid pellet guns mounted atop his carapace. Botch is well-versed in the science of espionage. He is capable of both planning and executing missions proportional to his means and resources. He prefers to strategize in cassette mode where his processors are at their most dedicated.

Weaknesses: The cloaking generator Botch uses is prone to malfunction from stress if over-used. Additionally, his six-legged walk is not completely silent, so he must remain motionless to avoid detection in an enemy's presence. Faith in the logic of his own plans can make him resistant to improvisation, thus placing the mission in jeopardy. Physically weak; slow over long distances. Occasionally, the reputation of his namesake failure breeds distrust in those around him.