Ben 10: Ben's 10 Smartest Transformations, Ranked

Ben 10 is one of Cartoon Network's most successful franchises. The series focuses on Ben Tennyson, an initially immature and arrogant boy who, over the course of Ben 10, eventually evolves into a caring, capable, and heroic young person. As he battles intergalactic warlords, mutants, and supervillains, Ben's alien watch-shaped Omnitrix allows him to transform into some truly powerful aliens. And, out of all his transformations, a select few stand out as particularly intelligent forms.

Ben himself has a photographic memory, but beyond that, he never really puts his intelligence to good use. He is often headstrong and rash with his decision-making, but when he chooses a more inquisitive alien, things quickly take a turn for the better. Some of Ben's aliens are clearly smarter than others, which makes way for some interesting and high-energy fight scenes.

10 Kickin Hawk Has Incredible Fighting Skills

First Introduced in Ben 10: Omniverse Season 2, Episode 3, "Outbreak"

Kickin Hawk is absolutely the farthest thing from a technical genius. However, when it comes to martial arts, he is one of Ben's fastest and more gifted aliens. His fighting senses and battle knowledge are off the charts, and though he's one of Ben's newer transformations, he makes several appearances because of his fighting intelligence.

Kickin Hawk is essentially a martial arts master and can contend with even the most capable of martial artists. Nevertheless, he is completely lacking in all other types of intelligence. It could even be argued that Ben becomes less technically intelligent as a result of the transformation, but if fans put all that aside, Kickin Hawk's fighting knowledge clearly makes his character worth the frequent appearances.

9 Echo Echo Predicts the Trajectory of their Sonic Attacks

First Introduced in Ben 10: Alien Force Season 1, Episode 2, "Ben 10 Returns: Part 2"

Echo Echo is another example of Ben using an Alien's intelligence in an interesting way. The alien itself isn't technically granted enhanced intelligence, but many fans argue the character likely has the ability. Not only can he create many exact copies of himself, but he can also plan the trajectory of his sonic blasts to an extremely accurate degree. This ability is only enhanced when Ben uses his ultimate form.

Ben can also use Echo Echo to make exact copies of himself. Each of these copies is exactly as smart as Ben was before, which is indicative of his overall intelligence. The ability to operate several different bodies autonomously is an incredible feat in itself.

8 Alien X's Personalities Are Technically Older Than the Universe Itself

First Introduced in Ben 10: Alien Force Season 1, Episode 13, "X = Ben + 2"

Alien X is one of Ben's most powerful transformations, hands down. The character isn't completely renowned for its intelligence, but the alien undoubtedly possesses ancient wisdom. Alien X's other personalities, Serena and Bellicus, have been around for literal centuries, which means they have access to almost limitless knowledge. Yet, whether they choose to share that information with Ben is another story.

Alien X's most incredible feat is arguably a huge display of intelligence. Ben uses the transformation to recreate the literal universe after it is destroyed by Maltruant. Ben recreates everything in the entire multiverse, down to the last atom. This feat easily makes Alien X one of the most powerful and smartest forms in Ben 10.

7 Nanomech Is One of Ben's Only Aliens Introduced Via a Movie

First Introduced in Ben 10: Alien Swarm

Nanomech is Ben's smallest alien, meaning that he mostly operates at the atomic level. He is so small that he can easily enter an enemy's body and battle them from within. Ben rarely chooses to do this given the extreme nature of the attack, but it is always an option. Yet, his very attack method implies that he is slightly more intelligent than Ben 10 implies.

The fact that Ben can easily travel through technology and biology alike implies that Nanomech has a certain knowledge of whatever he flies into. One of the alien's main powers is adaptability, and what that truly implies is rather extensive. However, since nothing is specifically confirmed regarding Nanomech's knowledge, it's hard to say whether he is as smart as he could be.

6 Gutrot Calculates Each Chemical Formula in his Head

First Introduced in Ben 10: Omniverse Season 5, Episode 5, "Animo Crackers"

Gutrot casually calculates each of the chemical formulas he uses in his attacks. This means that Ben is actively doing the most difficult chemistry problems in the heat of battle. Few aliens have the focus or the fortitude to accomplish the same task, yet Gutrot makes it look relatively easy.

As Ben's relatively new aliens go, Gutrot is easily one of the smartest. Ben might have other chemical-based creatures, but none of them are as active as Gutrot. Nevertheless, the alien likely couldn't accomplish basic arithmetic beyond anything needed for his powerful attacks, so he can't be considered Ben's smartest form.

5 Jurryrigg Can Upgrade or Utilize any Vehicle or Piece of Technology

First Introduced in Ben 10: Ultimate Alien Season 3, Episode 27, "The Eggman Cometh"

Jurryrig is a diminutive alien that possesses the power to modify existing pieces of technology, especially vehicles. He is rarely used in his introductory iteration but becomes a staple during Omniverse. He even receives a significant visual upgrade during the later part of the show.

The powerful alien might not be a great fighter, but if he has access to a villain's weapons, it's game over. Jurryrig is one of the few characters capable of turning enemies' powers against them. Sadly, he is criminally underutilized throughout Ben 10.

4 Frankenstrike Has All the Intelligence of a Mad Scientist

First Introduced in Ben 10 Season 3, Episode 13, "Be Afraid of the Dark"

Frankenstrike is a perfect mix of both Frankenstein and his monster. He has powerful electrical-based attacks, but has also been confirmed to be of above-average intelligence. Unfortunately, he never has the opportunity to demonstrate his true skills. Frankenstrike is easily one of Ben's most underused aliens in the entire series.

The serious scientist is only actually used in Ben 10 a handful of times. Many of the transformations are simply alternate forms of Ben. Nevertheless, his impressive verbiage implies that he is vastly more intelligent than base Ben. Sadly, the canon character only uses the transformation twice.

3 Upgrade Can Easily Control Any Piece of Technology at Will

First Introduced in Ben 10 Season 1, Episode 4, "Permanent Retirement"

Upgrade's entire powerbase is evident from his name: Upgrade Ben possesses the ability to take control of any technology and elevate it to new heights. He can even take control of sentient technology, although that's vastly more difficult. Yet, he is somewhat vulnerable when he is not taking the form of any technology.

Most of the alien's intelligence likely comes from its artificial nature. Upgrades are technically artificial beings created by the Galvan species. The Galvan's likely gave some of their impressive intelligence to their beloved creation. However, Ben still has access to some other, more intelligent aliens.

2 Brainstorm's Brain is So Smart He Can Shock People With His Brain (Both Literally and Figuratively)

First Introduced in Ben 10: Alien Force Season 1, Episode 6, "Pier Pressure"

Brainstorm's level of intelligence is somewhat shocking to say the least. The crustacean-like character might not be super mobile, but he makes up for it with impressive knowledge. He is more intensely charismatic than Greymatter, but is likely less intelligent. At least according to Asmuth, Galvans are the superior species when it comes to brains.

That said, Brainstorm certainly makes his case for the title. He often attacks his enemies using his outright wits and smarts, and he is capable of incredible scenarios that guarantee he ends up on top. It's strategic, calculating, and impressive. Nevertheless, Brainstorm likely would lose a battle of wits against even the least-intelligent Galvan.

1 Grey Matter Is Easily The Smartest Alien in Ben's Epic Arsenal

First Introduced in Ben 10 Season 1, Episode 2, "Washington B.C."

Grey Matter is easily Ben's most intelligent alien. Since a Galvan created the Omnitrix, it would make sense that Ben has the ability to do the same. It's even implied by Ben 10,000 that he used the transformation to upgrade his existing Omnitrix. Grey Matter is one of the main reasons that Ben 10,000 becomes as powerful as he is.

The incredible feats that Gray Matter and other members of his species have accomplished are simply unmatched. He might not be able to handle a fist fight, but in a battle of wits, Grey Matter is simply unopposed. He's smart, capable, and incredibly impressive.