Kraata

Kraata were worm-like, sentient portions of Makuta's substance, created by him as the basis for Rahkshi. Makuta could in theory create an infinite number of Kraata, but bringing them into being seemed to diminish his energy temporarily.³ Kraata moved like snakes and were capable of infecting any inanimate object they touched, most often Kanohi masks.³ Kraata could create an infected mask by coming into physical contact with a Kanohi mask.⁴ A Kraata exposed to energized protodermis would evolve over time into Rahkshi armor. Another Kraata would need to occupy the armor to activate and control it.³

Notes

Each Rahkshi carried within it a part of Makuta's essence called a kraata. These slug-like creatures had the power to infect any Kanohi mask they touched. Kraata evolved through six stages, making the Rahkshi faster and more powerful as they changed. There were 252 types of kraata. The Turaga kept kraata trapped inside special stasis containers.⁵

Within each Rahkshi was a leech-like creature called a kraata. The kraata gave the Rahkshi the power and intelligence needed to carry out its mission. Kraata first appeared on the island of Mata Nui long before the Rahkshi came into being. They were a part of Makuta. They moved like snakes across the ground, spreading infection wherever they went. Makuta used the kraata to take over the island's Rahi. The Turaga did their best to track down and trap kraata all over the island. These kraata were then sealed away in special containers, and the containers were hidden in a vast cave. If these kraata had ever been unleashed, a shadow plague would have struck Mata Nui, and all the Matoran might have become infected by Makuta's darkness.⁶

Kraata came in a variety of colors, which indicated a Kraata's power. Rahkshi created from these Kraata would have identical powers. Kraata went through six stages of development; their evolution was the result of time and experience. A select few Kraata evolved to a seventh stage, becoming Shadow Kraata. Although there were Rahkshi on Metru Nui, Kraata were not a major factor there. Kraata were, however, a significant problem on Mata Nui, sent forth by Makuta to infect masks and bring Rahi and Matoran under his sway. Kraata controlled the six Rahkshi which attacked the island of Mata Nui.³

A Kraata's power could be identified by its coloration. These powers could be used by the Rahkshi formed from the individual Kraata.³

When a Makuta pulled a serpent-like kraata from his substance and exposed it to energized protodermis, it transformed into Rahkshi armor.⁷

Makuta once exposed a kraata to the same energies used to mutate Bohrok into Bohrok-Kal, which produced the Dark Hunter Kraata-Kal.⁷

All Makuta could create kraata. Kraata were slug-like creatures. They had the power to infect Kanohi masks and other objects. When exposed to energized protodermis, they transformed into Rahkshi armor. Another kraata could then serve as a pilot for the armor.⁸

Makuta were able to turn some of their energy into a solid, worm-like creature called a kraata.⁹

When the energy extraction rifle was used on a Makuta, the Makuta was unaffected, and the rifle was heavily damaged, but a Kraata appeared on the rifle. This meant that the rifle could be used as a quick, painless way for a Makuta to create Kraata. However, since the rifle sustained heavy damage after each use, this way of using the rifle was impractical.¹⁰

Kraata were made from antidermis.¹¹

Kraata were not intended to be independent thinkers and to make their own decisions. They were part of a Makuta's substance and did his will.¹²

Kraata made Rahkshi stronger and faster as they evolved to higher stages.¹³

Although kraata could infect masks, they could not directly control someone's mind by attaching to his face.¹⁴

A kraata took time to turn into a Rahkshi after being exposed to protodermis; it did not happen right away, but over the course of months.^{15, 16, 17}

Higher stages of kraata driving Rahkshi armor would make the Rahkshi stronger, faster, and more agile.^{18, 19}

Kraata could think for themselves to an extent, but they were not deep thinkers. They were driven by instinct.²⁰

Kraata were a part of the substance of Makuta. They were sentient, but they are not deep thinkers. They acted on instinct. Each kraata went through six stages of development, referred to as Stage 1 through Stage 6. As it developed, the kraata made its Rahkshi stronger, faster, and more powerful.²¹ When kraata were created, they came in random stages.²²

Matoran on Mata Nui may have seen kraata around without knowing what they were. The Turaga kept the kraata a secret from them.²³

Kraata and Rahkshi had no gender.²⁴

On their own, kraata could not use their powers; they only had the power to infect masks. The powers listed for each kraata are the powers a Rahkshi controlled by that kraata would have had.²⁵ The powers do sometimes describe traits of particular kraata, though.²⁶

After Takanuva defeated Makuta, loose kraata continued to roam Mata Nui, causing problems.²⁷

Makuta could pull kraata out of himself while shape-shifted into any form.²⁸

According to Greg, the level 6 sleep kraata should not have been able to put a whole village to sleep instantly, but would have needed to put each villager to sleep one by one.²⁹

Kraata could not use their powers outside Rahkshi armor.³⁰

Kraata could activate their powers outside of Rahkshi armor.³¹

Kraata were, in general, able to infect any mask.³²

It took a long time for a Kraata to become a Rahkshi.³³

Kraata were sluglike beings without claws.³⁴

Kraata evolved into different stages through time and experience.³⁵

Kraata likely had to eat, though how they did so is unknown.³⁶

Kraata presumably ate plant life.³⁷

The main differences between Kraata stages were improvements to their powers.³⁸

Unlike Toa, Kraata could not run out of power.³⁹

Kraata didn't exactly "die" when they were transformed into Rahkshi armor, they were converted into inorganic matter.⁴⁰

Kraata were more capable of driving Rahkshi when they had the same power.⁴¹

Kraata were not likely antidermis in solid form.⁴²

Antidermis was certainly a component of kraata, but they were unlikely to simply be solid antidermis.⁴³

Kraata likely contained antidermis.⁴⁴

Kraata could use their powers.⁴⁵

Makuta chose which kind of kraata they created.⁴⁶

Kraata were living things, which meant they had spirits. They could not be possessed by Makuta.⁴⁷

Kraata Color Chart³

List of Kraata

• Kraata-Cu
• Kraata-Ul
• Kraata-Vo
• Kraata-Xi
• Kraata-Ye
• Kraata-Za

Other Information

• The creatures seen in the background of the promotional image of Tahu Nuva rising from protodermis are supposed to be kraata. They do not resemble kraata because the artwork was done before the final design of the kraata was finished.⁴⁸
• Greg Farshtey came up with the extra kraata powers, and someone else wrote the descriptions of the kraata powers at different stages. However, the powers are supposed to apply only to the Rahkshi, not the kraata.⁴⁹
• Greg Farshtey had a list of every superpower ever used in comics that he picked from to assign kraata powers.⁵⁰