Battle Cat is a huge, armored tiger that serves as the companion of He-Man in battle. Equipped with a saddle, Battle Cat can carry several warriors into battle like a steed, but his ferocious claws make him more formidable in combat than a mere horse. In many versions of Masters of the Universe continuity, he can speak, making him not simply a pet but a trusted confidant of He-Man.
In stories where He-Man is secretly Prince Adam, Battle Cat is similarly the alter ego of Adam’s pet tiger Cringer. Whereas Cringer is lazy and cowardly, and usually doesn’t even want to assume his heroic form, Battle Cat is headstrong and eager for action and excitement.
In the early minicomics by Donald F. Glut and Gary Cohn, Battle Cat is simply a wild animal that answers when He-Man calls out to him in the woods. Because of his role as He-Man’s steed, his appearances are limited by the need to feature the other modes of transportation from the toy line, such as the Battle Ram and the Attak Trak.