B.A.T. (G.I. Joe)

B.A.T. Battle Android Trooper
G.I. Joe character
A B.A.T. as seen in the intro to G.I. Joe: The Movie.
First appearance	1986
Affiliation	Cobra
Specialty	Cobra Android Trooper
Primary MOS	Independently Targeted Battle Robot
Subgroups	Armor Tech
Series	G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero G.I. Joe: Sigma 6

The Battle Android Trooper (B.A.T.) is a fictional robot from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero universe. Created by the evil Cobra Organization, the B.A.Ts provide disposable brute strength to the Cobra army.

BATs are the perfect Cobra trooper. They never question orders, shirk duty or surrender. They are cheap and easy to replace. However, BATs do not react well to changes in field conditions, or discriminate well between targets. They will shoot at anything that moves. Cobra Infantrymen don't like to be on the same battlefield with B.A.Ts, and will sometimes dispense BATs into a losing battle, by kicking them out of low-flying aircraft without parachutes. B.A.Ts also have a tendency to burst into flame when hit from behind.

The first production series of B.A.Ts was developed by Doctor Mindbender. These models had a humanoid form, with exposed electronics in their chest cavity for easy battlefield maintenance. The right forearm could be equipped with a flamethrower, laser cannon, gripper claw, or standard robotic hand. Doctor Mindbender has overseen subsequent modifications and customization of the B.A.Ts, including a streamlined appearance, increased targeting accuracy, and modular missile launcher systems. Though they have become more mindless with each successive design, their manufacturing process and weapons systems are continually being upgraded.

As of March 2014, there have been more than 24 figures in the 3 3/4-inch line of the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, most released as either B.A.T. or Cobra B.A.T., one figure released as B.A.A.T. (Battle Armored Android Trooper) as part of the Star Brigade line, one figure released as Cobra Inferno B.A.T, and one figure released as Cobra Sky B.A.T.

The B.A.T. first appeared in the 1986 series of the toyline. A second version was released in 1991. A battle armored version, the B.A.A.T (Battle Armored Android Trooper) was released in 1993, as part of the Armor-Tech subset of the Star Brigade line. The B.A.T. was released again in 2002, as part of the full relaunch of the G.I. Joe toyline, using an all-new mold.

In 1990, the first mold of B.A.T. was released as Robóid in Brazil.

B.A.T. had two 8-inch figures, and was packaged in many of the 2.5-inch mission scale. The 8-inch figures included the Ninja-B.A.T., and the Sky B.A.T.

In 2008, Cobra B.A.T. was released as part of the 25th anniversary, with a new sculpt based on the original design. This version of the figure has thus far seen eight distinct releases. The 2008 carded figure, 2009 "Hall of Heroes figure", and "Defense of Cobra Island" box set figure (also released in 2009) were nearly identical, all based on the original toy decoration (with a silver visor), though the accessories vary (the "Hall of Heroes" and "Defense of Cobra Island" figures come with battle damage options and a canister for creeper vine spores, with the latter including a set of purple vines). The DVD Battles "Arise, Serpentor, Arise" pack featured a red-visored B.A.T. based on its cartoon appearance, and a missile launcher in addition to its usual accessories. The G.I. Joe: Resolute box set figure featured a black and metallic red paint deco. The "Pursuit of Cobra" line featured a Jungle B.A.T., featuring green camouflage fatigues and additional jungle combat-themed accessories.