Rattla
njo033 · Ninjago
Rise of the Snakes · 2012
Figure ID
njo033
Theme
Ninjago
Year Released
2012
Rarity
Uncommon. While he appeared in two sets, he is a generic foot soldier from an early, highly nostalgic era of Ninjago, making him harder to find in mint condition today.
Head
Features a unique sand blue snake-head mold with a flared cobra hood. The face is dark blue with red eyes, sharp white teeth, and a small pink tongue sticking out.
Torso
Sand blue base with dark blue snake scale patterns, a yellow-light belly segment, and a tan/gold ammunition strap running diagonally across the chest. Back printing continues the scale pattern.
Legs
Sand blue with dark blue scale patterns on the hips/upper legs and tan/gold banded armor printing on the knees.
Accessories
Officially released with a translucent green Hypnobrai staff or a spear (not pictured in your image).
Color Scheme
Primary colors are Sand Blue and Dark Blue, accented with Yellow, Tan, and Red for the eyes.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing typical of the 2012 era. Coverage includes the torso (front and back) and the front of the legs. The alignment on the scales is generally very crisp.
Variants
There are no major production variants of Rattla himself, though he belongs to the Hypnobrai tribe, which shares similar colors with characters like Skales and Slithraa.
Condition Notes
The flared hood mold is prone to minor scuffing on the top edges. The sand blue plastic is relatively durable, but check for 'torso cracks' under the arms which were common in this era of manufacturing.
Estimated Value
Used: $5 - $8 USD; New: $12 - $15 USD. The value has remained stable but seen a slight uptick due to Ninjago nostalgia.
Price (New)
N/A (Individual figure was not sold separately). Sets he appeared in ranged from $19.99 to $49.99.
Compatible Sets
Set 9441: Kai's Blade Cycle (2012) and Set 9443: Rattlecopter (2012).
Character Background
Rattla is a member of the Hypnobrai tribe, the first Serpentine tribe discovered in the Ninjago storyline. They have the ability to hypnotize their enemies with their gaze.
Design Notes
The Hypnobrai head mold was revolutionary in 2012 for its distinct silhouette and integrated hood, marking a shift toward more specialized character molds in Ninjago.
Similar Minifigures
Slithraa (njo037), Skales (njo040), Mezmo (njo034).
Collectibility
High for Ninjago completionists. The original Serpentine tribes remain some of the most iconic villains in the franchise's decade-long history.
History
Released during Ninjago's second wave (Year 2). This era moved away from the skeleton villains of Year 1 into the snake-themed antagonists that defined the 'Rise of the Snakes' arc.
Interesting Facts
The Hypnobrai were the only tribe to have their own underground city (the Hypnobrai Tomb) featured prominently in the early seasons of the TV show.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed alongside a Serpentine staff or within a 'snake pit' diorama. He fits perfectly on a gray or tan baseplate to simulate the desert or tomb environments.
Modification Potential
The headpiece is a favorite for MOC-builders creating custom lizardmen or serpent creatures for Dungeons & Dragons style builds.
Overall Assessment
A solid, mid-tier collectible. It is a fantastic example of LEGO's early 2010s creativity in character design. Highly recommended for any fan of the Ninjago 'Masters of Spinjitzu' era.