18. I don't remember the episode, but Ravage actually CAN speak - he just chooses not to. Why do you suppose this is?

It's a fact that people who don't (or can't) speak are all too often underestimated. So while the Autobots know that he is a dangerous adversary, the fact that he doesn't talk dampens that knowledge enough to give him an edge. So maybe it ties in with his profession?

That and there is a hell of a lot of amusement to be gained when you let people make their own assumptions.