Which turtle is the most dispensable?

~~Davetello~~ · 12-15-2014, 12:16 AM

As in, which turtle is the least important to the team? Not even necessarily a liability, but just not really needed to win most battles?

You can select a turtle for differing iterations. Show your working.

judasghost · 12-15-2014, 02:14 AM

You could omit Donatello from the running in pretty much any Turtleverse, especially the Fred Wolf, IDW, and Nick versions. He saved the day so many times. Things got ridiculous during the Fred Wolf run.

And Don isn't even my favorite. How sad.

So that leaves me with 3 to choose from...

Mirage: probably Leo.
Fred Wolf: Raph (great jokes, but his bad-assery is non-existant)
Live-Action (#1-3): Raph (gets beat down twice)
Image: i barely remember these.
TMNT (#4 CGI): Leo again.
4Kids: i've seen maybe a half dozen of these episodes... no clue.
IDW: Leo yet again.
Nick: Mike. Buzz buzz.
TMNT (#5): never watched it

games:
TMNT 1 NES: Raph, shortest reach
TMNT 2 NES: None, all equal
TMNT 3 NES: Mike, with that stupid slow-moving special attack kick
TMNT 4 SNES/GEN: Leo/Mike/Raph. Don had the best reach.
TMNT 1 Arcade: Mike/Raph. Fastest but weakest.
TMNT 2 Arcade: Mike/Leo/Don. Raph has a different/better special attack.

time to hit "submit". been typing and editing this long enough.

*Powder* · 12-15-2014, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by judasghost

Mirage: probably Leo.
TMNT (#4 CGI): Leo again.
IDW: Leo yet again.

Totally letting my Leo fanboyism show here, but...

Mirage Leo is arguably the most well rounded fighter, his performance is very calculated & precise. You gotta remember, this is the turtle who took on tens of foot at a time, alone, on several occasions, defeated the Shredder, strategized most of the turtles' best laid plans, etc. He's very much the leader & the glue keeping the team together & focused, at least for most of the series.

TMNT's Leo left home & all the other turtles literally just stopped giving a damn. When he's around, they're on point, but they're otherwise unorganized, unfocused, & somewhat dysfunctional. I know he was rendered useless in large portions of the film, but I think the change in status quo during his down-time speaks clearly to the state of the team without him.

IDW's Leo has gotten spiritual guidance from his mother, which goes to show he has power beyond sight & the physical plane, something his brothers lack. He's got memories of his past life, the strongest bond with Splinter, his leadership role, he's definitely a key player. One who, like Mirage Leo, was able to take on an army by himself. The brainwash thing was/is tricky but if nothing else it showed he was a formidable opponent against the entirety of his family, & that when driven with a goal, evil though it may be, there's little that can stop him (which is why he was selected for that).

*IndigoErth* · 12-15-2014, 05:27 PM

None... it's a loss and setback to all no matter who is removed.

Lose Leo and there's no one to help keep Raph and Mikey reigned in until the best moment to let the fury and chaos loose. If Donnie took up lead along with everything else he does for the team he might be more likely to freeze up or freak out under the pressure, and if Raph is butting heads with him he may not be able to stand up to Raph as well as Leo is able.

Lose Donnie and their arsenal/tech is permanently bare bones. While their enemies improve their own capabilities, the Turtles are stuck and will eventually be outdone and unable to compete with what's against them. While Leo is a good planner, without Donnie they lose the brains behind answers to some of the tougher plans.

Lose Raph and you lose the passion and drive, the proactive push to get things taken care of now. The force that does not care to stop for anything short of the goal is gone. The one who'd help push to keep the two thinkers thinking and problem solving quickly and efficiently.

Lose Mikey and you lose the enthusiasm and cheer that keeps up moral and the will to keep going no matter what the odds. No more silver lining to help the rest from worrying and brooding too much. No more reminder of the good in the world that makes doing what they do well worth it.

*oldmanwinters* · 12-15-2014, 06:18 PM

Benvenuto?

JackLondon · 12-16-2014, 10:16 AM

i'd get rid of ralph, he's too much of a hothead. When i was kid i always thought he needed to be nicer (probably because of movie) but now as an adult, he just comes off as an Ahole

Mellie · 12-15-2014, 02:31 AM

That's a really tough question. I keep thinking "but wait, __ is needed for __".
I'm basing them on their general well-known cartoon personalities.

Don is probably the most important Turtle. They wouldn't get far without his intelligence, inventions and level head.

A leader is important, or else there would be chaos. Raph and Mikey would make bad leaders.. Don might be a good one, but he has too much on his plate already. So Leonardo is necessary..

That leaves Mikey or Raph as least important. I'm having NES flashbacks

Mikey is not only a great fighter, he's the morale booster. They'd probably go mad without his lighthearted shell around. Leo and Raph would kill each other.

Raph brings a ton of strength and passion to the team, but he also brings a lot of conflict. If he wasn't around they'd be weaker, but their teamwork may improve..

When it comes to winning battles, I think Mikey would be the least important. If I had to erase a Turtle's existence, I guess Raph..

Hey wait, can I pick Venus?

*Candy Kappa* · 12-15-2014, 03:34 AM

As a team, none of the are expendable. They all fill the core types you have within a team dynamic. The Brains, The Brute, The Hearth and The Leader

pingclang · 12-15-2014, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Candy Kappa

As a team, none of the are expendable. They all fill the core types you have within a team dynamic. The Brains, The Brute, The Hearth and The Leader

That was...very well said.

Mellie · 12-15-2014, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Candy Kappa

As a team, none of the are expendable. They all fill the core types you have within a team dynamic. The Brains, The Brute, The Hearth and The Leader

Yep.. this is the correct answer.

*blindturtle02* · 12-15-2014, 11:10 AM

None of the TMNT, in my opinion. He probably doesn't count, but I'd say Mr. Turtle from the old tootsiepop commercial is dispensable. Never liked that one. He bites. Literally, he does. Oh my God, I'm such a fiend. Here it is a little over a week until Christmas and I'm writing about offing turtles! I'll honor the spirit of the turtle every day of the year. I shall live in all three animated series and the comics. Surely, the awesomeness of all these shall strive within me. Tell me that I may sponge away the writing on this screen! Sewers, and pizza time be praised! I say this while grating cheese, old Splinter: grating cheese!

**DarthRaphael** · 12-15-2014, 11:19 AM

Their strength comes from that fact they are a team of four. Yes they do split up at times but it doesn't seem like they win the day until all four are on the scene. It is kind of like asking, which of your four limbs are expendable?

*TheCanadiandrome* · 12-17-2014, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Candy Kappa

As a team, none of the are expendable. They all fill the core types you have within a team dynamic. The Brains, The Brute, The Hearth and The Leader

Couldn't agree more

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldmanwinters

Benvenuto?

Oh no you didn't *snap*

**DarthRaphael** · 12-17-2014, 07:12 AM

I think you guys have Raph all wrong. He is always the one who wants to take out bad guys even when the others don't or can't. He is the physical strength of the team. Seems he can go longer than the others in a fight. He is also super loyal. This is of course any version of him except the OT.

judasghost · 12-17-2014, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthRaphael

I think you guys have Raph all wrong. He is always the one who wants to take out bad guys even when the others don't or can't. He is the physical strength of the team. Seems he can go longer than the others in a fight. He is also super loyal. This is of course any version of him except the OT.

Raph ditches the group in one movie, gets captured in another, and tries to kill Leo in yet another movie. A lot of his choices and second-guessing get the team into trouble in Nick, making him the second biggest liability next to Mikey in that incarnation. You have a weird definition of 'loyal'.

LS Animation · 03-29-2016, 07:05 AM

Donnie is the smartest, Leo is the best leader, Raph is the strongest, Mikey is the funniest so I say essentially Mikey is least important in a way, but then again they are all brothers and there are certain things that connect them to each other and make the entire teamwork thing work. Without Mikey things would go too serious and dramatic without any comic relief whatsoever. So they are all important to keep TMNT as TMNT we all love.

*triplexxx* · 06-07-2022, 01:40 PM

tsk tsk tsk, naughty thread

Mad Dog McMutt · 06-07-2022, 05:44 PM

I would probably say Michaelangelo. He contributes the least amount to the team even though he is a very likeable character.

*Andrew NDB* · 06-07-2022, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Dog McMutt

I would probably say Michaelangelo. He contributes the least amount to the team even though he is a very likeable character.

There could be a case for that, even in Mirage. Though while he's not a pacifist, Don seems the most pacifistic of the four. If push came to shove and a big battle was looming, would you want Michelangelo or Donatello having your back?

*IndigoErth* · 06-07-2022, 06:24 PM

I dunno, what's Mikey adding to the fight? Athleticism? They're all technically athletic though as far as being good fighters goes, even if he's the most "natural" athlete, or so people claim. Donnie has the skills to break through particular hurdles the rest of them couldn't make up for.

Have Donnie who can break through security in their way? They go kick some ass. Can't break through without him? Oh, well... I guess go home.

12-15-2014, 03:34 AM	#8
Candy Kappa The Agenda of Existing Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vikingland Posts: 14,596	As a team, none of the are expendable. They all fill the core types you have within a team dynamic. The Brains, The Brute, The Hearth and The Leader __________________ devianArt Instagram Youtube Tumblr Art Blog Patreon

12-15-2014, 11:10 AM	#11
blindturtle02 Foot Elite Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Tx Posts: 2,627	None of the TMNT, in my opinion. He probably doesn't count, but I'd say Mr. Turtle from the old tootsiepop commercial is dispensable. Never liked that one. He bites. Literally, he does. Oh my God, I'm such a fiend. Here it is a little over a week until Christmas and I'm writing about offing turtles! I'll honor the spirit of the turtle every day of the year. I shall live in all three animated series and the comics. Surely, the awesomeness of all these shall strive within me. Tell me that I may sponge away the writing on this screen! Sewers, and pizza time be praised! I say this while grating cheese, old Splinter: grating cheese! __________________ Please don't remove my nice hat and wack me in the butt with it.

12-15-2014, 11:19 AM	#12
DarthRaphael Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Charlotte, NC USA Posts: 913	Their strength comes from that fact they are a team of four. Yes they do split up at times but it doesn't seem like they win the day until all four are on the scene. It is kind of like asking, which of your four limbs are expendable? __________________ I edit your posts

12-17-2014, 07:12 AM	#14
DarthRaphael Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Charlotte, NC USA Posts: 913	I think you guys have Raph all wrong. He is always the one who wants to take out bad guys even when the others don't or can't. He is the physical strength of the team. Seems he can go longer than the others in a fight. He is also super loyal. This is of course any version of him except the OT. __________________ I edit your posts

03-29-2016, 07:05 AM	#16
LS Animation Thug Join Date: May 2015 Location: London Posts: 78	Donnie is the smartest, Leo is the best leader, Raph is the strongest, Mikey is the funniest so I say essentially Mikey is least important in a way, but then again they are all brothers and there are certain things that connect them to each other and make the entire teamwork thing work. Without Mikey things would go too serious and dramatic without any comic relief whatsoever. So they are all important to keep TMNT as TMNT we all love. __________________ My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCG...xpTVh32CVBrEJQ

12-15-2014, 12:16 AM	#1
~~Davetello~~ Banned Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Greater Glasgow, Scotland, The Ununited Kingdom Posts: 1,712	Which turtle is the most dispensable? As in, which turtle is the least important to the team? Not even necessarily a liability, but just not really needed to win most battles? You can select a turtle for differing iterations. Show your working.

12-15-2014, 02:14 AM	#2
judasghost Random Punk Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: new orleans. Posts: 17	You could omit Donatello from the running in pretty much any Turtleverse, especially the Fred Wolf, IDW, and Nick versions. He saved the day so many times. Things got ridiculous during the Fred Wolf run. And Don isn't even my favorite. How sad. So that leaves me with 3 to choose from... Mirage: probably Leo. Fred Wolf: Raph (great jokes, but his bad-assery is non-existant) Live-Action (#1-3): Raph (gets beat down twice) Image: i barely remember these. TMNT (#4 CGI): Leo again. 4Kids: i've seen maybe a half dozen of these episodes... no clue. IDW: Leo yet again. Nick: Mike. Buzz buzz. TMNT (#5): never watched it games: TMNT 1 NES: Raph, shortest reach TMNT 2 NES: None, all equal TMNT 3 NES: Mike, with that stupid slow-moving special attack kick TMNT 4 SNES/GEN: Leo/Mike/Raph. Don had the best reach. TMNT 1 Arcade: Mike/Raph. Fastest but weakest. TMNT 2 Arcade: Mike/Leo/Don. Raph has a different/better special attack. time to hit "submit". been typing and editing this long enough.

12-15-2014, 05:27 PM	#4
IndigoErth Team Blue Boy Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: U.S., East Coast Posts: 16,295	None... it's a loss and setback to all no matter who is removed. Lose Leo and there's no one to help keep Raph and Mikey reigned in until the best moment to let the fury and chaos loose. If Donnie took up lead along with everything else he does for the team he might be more likely to freeze up or freak out under the pressure, and if Raph is butting heads with him he may not be able to stand up to Raph as well as Leo is able. Lose Donnie and their arsenal/tech is permanently bare bones. While their enemies improve their own capabilities, the Turtles are stuck and will eventually be outdone and unable to compete with what's against them. While Leo is a good planner, without Donnie they lose the brains behind answers to some of the tougher plans. Lose Raph and you lose the passion and drive, the proactive push to get things taken care of now. The force that does not care to stop for anything short of the goal is gone. The one who'd help push to keep the two thinkers thinking and problem solving quickly and efficiently. Lose Mikey and you lose the enthusiasm and cheer that keeps up moral and the will to keep going no matter what the odds. No more silver lining to help the rest from worrying and brooding too much. No more reminder of the good in the world that makes doing what they do well worth it.

12-15-2014, 06:18 PM	#5
oldmanwinters Overlord Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Between yesterday and tomorrow! Posts: 15,497	Benvenuto? __________________ Experience the TMNT Fan Commentaries! Check out my TMNT fan comic, "Nothing to Fear"! View my sketch work! I'm selling some of my hard-to-find TMNT items!

12-16-2014, 10:16 AM	#6
JackLondon Mouser Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Hampton Roads, VA Posts: 14	i'd get rid of ralph, he's too much of a hothead. When i was kid i always thought he needed to be nicer (probably because of movie) but now as an adult, he just comes off as an Ahole

12-15-2014, 02:31 AM	#7
Mellie Foot Soldier Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 184	That's a really tough question. I keep thinking "but wait, __ is needed for __". I'm basing them on their general well-known cartoon personalities. Don is probably the most important Turtle. They wouldn't get far without his intelligence, inventions and level head. A leader is important, or else there would be chaos. Raph and Mikey would make bad leaders.. Don might be a good one, but he has too much on his plate already. So Leonardo is necessary.. That leaves Mikey or Raph as least important. I'm having NES flashbacks Mikey is not only a great fighter, he's the morale booster. They'd probably go mad without his lighthearted shell around. Leo and Raph would kill each other. Raph brings a ton of strength and passion to the team, but he also brings a lot of conflict. If he wasn't around they'd be weaker, but their teamwork may improve.. When it comes to winning battles, I think Mikey would be the least important. If I had to erase a Turtle's existence, I guess Raph.. Hey wait, can I pick Venus?

06-07-2022, 01:40 PM	#17
triplexxx Mad Scientist Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,816	tsk tsk tsk, naughty thread

06-07-2022, 05:44 PM	#18
Mad Dog McMutt Stone Warrior Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 706	I would probably say Michaelangelo. He contributes the least amount to the team even though he is a very likeable character.

06-07-2022, 06:24 PM	#20
IndigoErth Team Blue Boy Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: U.S., East Coast Posts: 16,295	I dunno, what's Mikey adding to the fight? Athleticism? They're all technically athletic though as far as being good fighters goes, even if he's the most "natural" athlete, or so people claim. Donnie has the skills to break through particular hurdles the rest of them couldn't make up for. Have Donnie who can break through security in their way? They go kick some ass. Can't break through without him? Oh, well... I guess go home.