Transformers (role-playing game) Wikipedia

Transformers Roleplaying Game
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Are you prepared for all of those shabby impersonations of beloved characters? Are you?

The Transformers Roleplaying Game is a tabletop roleplaying game created by Renegade Game Studios. It was first teased in the summer of 2020 [1], and officially announced on September 1, 2021. The game was digitally released on August 2, 2022, followed by a physical release on October 11.

The game sees players create their own Autobot characters and wage their battles to destroy the evil forces of the Game Master Decepticons. (Or vice-versa!)

Contents

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Gameplay

The Transformers Roleplaying Game makes use of Renegade Game Studios' own Essence20 system, which is also used in their other Hasbro-licensed games, including their Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, G.I. Joe, and My Little Pony roleplaying games; as such, characters from the different games can theoretically be mixed and matched for crossover campaigns. Renegade has also noted that the game "lends itself to cinematic action and cooperative roleplaying experiences, by using a character's background along with mechanics to incorporate unique character flaws", as well as a "Story Point" system which will be rewarded to players for finishing missions, performing daring heroics, and roleplaying.

Essence20 uses a system based on the d20 (20-sided die) and what they call a "skill die", which ranges from a d2 to d20. By rolling these dice, a player must exceed the numerical difficulty of the task at hand to succeed. The finer points of this mechanic are designed to "[lead] to more chances for [critical successes] and more opportunities for great roleplaying incorporating them".

Character creation

Skills are based on Strength, Speed, Smarts, and Social, referred to as "the 4 S's". First level characters begin with 16 Essence Points—four of these points are automatically assigned based on the player's choice of Origin, Role, and Focus, while the remaining twelve may be allocated at the player's discretion.

When creating a new character, players may freely combine most Influences, Origins, and Roles at will. This provides players with an "amazing depth and breadth to the variety of characters [they] can create", [2] and allows for some charmingly outlandish combinations.

Influences

Influences flesh out a character's backstory and provide players with inspiration for a character's personality, appearance, and traits—these include former professions such as "Gladiator", or "Refinery Laborer", personality traits like "Skeptic" and "Stargazer", or the presence of additional body augmentations, such as "Experiment" or "Binary Bonded". These Influences may provide minor stat boosts or a chance to re-roll specific failed skill tests. Each Influence comes with several suggested Background Bonds, which players can select at will to add some additional flavor to their in-character roleplaying.

A player can take as many influences as they want; however, for every two Influences they select, they must choose a Flaw, which permanently impacts their character's stats or raises the chance of failing specific skill tests.

Origins

In the Transformers Roleplaying Game, a character's Origin generally corresponds to a Cybertronian's alternate mode or physical construction. A character's Origin also determines factors such as their size, starting health pool, movement speed, and overall Essence Points distribution. The Core Rulebook features the first eight Origins listed here; subsequent sourcebooks have added at least one Origin each.

  • Champions transform into sports cars, luxury sedans, and other such flashy vehicles, which gives them an edge in social scenarios. [3]
  • Cutters transform into aquatic vehicles like boats or submarines, which lets them easily cross watery terrain or attack from unexpected angles. [3]
  • Lookouts convert into inconspicuous vehicles or inanimate objects, and excel at espionage and reconnaissance. [3]
  • Monoliths use heavy-duty alternate modes like trucks and vans to literally throw their weight around. [3]
  • Outriders usually become off-road vehicles like SUVs. [3]
  • Rainmakers specialize in firepower and often transform into military vehicles like tanks. [3]
  • Seekers are nimble fighters who transform into jets and other high-speed air vehicles. [3]
  • Supports take the form of practical vehicles like cranes, ambulances, or helicopters. Although they're not dedicated fighters, they can use their vehicle mode equipment as an extra weapon. [3]
  • Pretenders are a unique group of Cybertronians capable of disguising themselves as organic creatures. [4]
  • Armory Call characters become hand-held firearms or armor for other Transformers. [5]
  • Drones may have begun as mindless soldiers, but they've somehow developed independence and unique quirks that differentiate them from their mass-produced brethren. [5]
  • Insecticons are tough fighters who become giant insects. [5]
  • Mini-Cons are often partnered with larger Cybertronians. However, with the Decepticon Directive sourcebook, a player can choose to roleplay as an independent Mini-Con. [5]
  • Monstrosities adopt beast modes based on dragons, dinosaurs, and other fearsome creatures. [5]
  • Salvaged Transformers, such as the Junkions, can cobble together improvised weapons from whatever's at hand. [5]
  • Chargers specialize in vehicle mode combat, using bulldozer blades and cowcatchers to flatten their foes. [6]
  • Pillars protect their smaller comrades by drawing enemy aggression. [6]
  • Speakers boost morale and generate free Story Points on critical successes. [6]

Roles

The Transformers Roleplaying Game offers nine distinct Roles, which correspond to an overall character "class" in a game like Dungeons and Dragons. A player's chosen Role dictates some of their Essence Points allotments; additionally, each Role offers at least one unique way a player can use their Energon Points. Each Role is further subdivided into at least two distinct Focuses—for instance, a Transformer who takes the "Gunner" role must choose whether to specialize as a Gunslinger or Sharpshooter. Subsequent expansions have offered further Roles and individual Focuses within preexisting Roles.

Focuses are not locked behind faction affiliations; for instance, players wishing to roleplay as morally ambiguous Autobots are free to choose more destructive Focuses from the Decepticon Directive sourcebook.

Role Focuses
Analysts are information warfare specialists who can manipulate the game's Initiative-based combat order by boosting up allies or suppressing enemies.
  • Manipulators disorient their foes with holo-projectors and electro-disrupters. [3]
  • Spec Ops use charisma and deception to gain an enemy's trust... then strike when their foes least expect it. [3]
  • Corruptors fool their enemies through espionage and misdirection. [5]
  • Inquisitors gain the information they need through interrogation and coercion.[5]
  • Hubs keep teammates connected by acting as a mobile communications center. [6]
Field Commanders make everyone around them better—they can temporarily boost an ally's stats or inspire their teammates to take free actions.
  • Ambassadors prefer to minimize casualties through negotiations, but will fight fiercely to protect non-combatants from harm. [3]
  • Strategists combine their inspiring presence with clever tactics to control the flow of combat. [3]
  • Masterminds lead from the rear, using cunning strategies to mislead and deceive their enemies. [5]
  • Tyrants lean on their terrifying presence in combat to intimidate enemies into surrendering—and frighten allies into obedience. [5]
  • Team Leaders lead by example, fighting alongside and supporting the 'bots under their command. [6]
Gunners always have the right firearm for the job—whether they're sniping foes from afar, laying down a hail of close-range covering fire, or obliterating hard targets with heavy weapons.
  • Gunslingers adapt to the changing battlefield by rapidly switching from one firearm to another. [3]
  • Sharpshooters are long range fighters who rely on single, precise shots. [3]
  • Cannonade Gunners deploy explosive munitions to blow their enemies to bits. [5]
  • Triggerbots specialize in two-handed heavy weapons. [5]
  • Cannoneers use heavy artillery to obliterate enemy cover. [6]
Modemasters are well-rounded fighters with enhanced transformation abilities, who can take on extra alternate modes or link up with a smaller Mini-Con partner. Unlike other Roles, Modemasters can choose how to allocate their Essence Score Points and Skills as they level up.
  • Microlinked Transformers have formed a symbiotic partnership with a smaller Mini-Con; as they level up, they may pair up with an additional Mini-Con. [3]
  • Triple Changers gain extra flexibility by choosing an additional Origin. [3]
  • Mimics gradually gain Origins as they level up, until they cap out at six. [5]
  • Minion Masters may control up to four Mini-Cons, and can gain additional Mini-Cons through General Perks. [5]
  • Bonded Masters have been binary bonded with a smaller being, either a Headmaster, Powermaster, or Targetmaster. [6]
  • Component Ace Transformers lend additional expertise to a combiner team. [6]
Scientists start with extra Energon Points, which they can use to heal and support their allies in and out of combat.
  • Medical Officers patch up injured teammates and protect them from incoming damage. [3]
  • Gadgeteers can augment their allies with advanced technology, jury-rig battlefield equipment, and take out enemy equipment. [3]
  • Cyber Engineers apply various stat boosts by experimenting on themselves and their fellow Cybertronians. [5]
  • Elementalists specialize in weaponry involving one particular element, such as fire, lasers, or acid. [5]
  • Counsellors provide psychological support for allies... or prey upon the psychological problems of their enemies. [6]

Scouts excel at gathering intelligence, marking targets, and causing havoc behind enemy lines.
  • Outriders rely on speed to evade their enemies. [3]
  • Prowlers use stealth tactics and silenced weapons to ambush their opponents. [3]
  • Demolitionists trip up foes and destroy buildings with booby traps and explosives. [5]
  • Trackers pursue and isolate single targets across long distances. [5]
  • Surveyors map out terrain, plan routes, and lay explosive traps. [6]
Warriors are close-range fighters who specialize in melee combat. When a Warrior takes enough damage to be Defeated, they may choose to instead lose one of their limbs and fight on with a temporary stat loss.
  • Sentinels emphasize defence and precision. [3]
  • Wreckers prefer one-on-one combat. [3]
  • Brutes cut foes down to size with underhanded tactics. [5]
  • Shredders work themselves into an unstoppable rage. [5]
  • Pugilists pummel foes into submission with their fists. [6]
Envoys prefer diplomacy over violence, and this wide perspective allows them to use another faction’s specific Faction Benefit in addition to their own.
  • Alien Ambassadors specialize in translating languages and assisting beings from other planets, even those that don't share a common language with the party. [4]
  • Grid Psychics can telepathically tap into the power of the Morphin Grid to assist their allies in combat situations. [4]
  • Military Attaches are combat diplomats who can handle themselves in a fight. [4]
Raiders take whatever they feel they're owed, through coercion, deception, or brute force.
  • Acquisition Experts combine sticky fingers with hit-and-run tactics. [5]
  • Siegemasters use heavy weapons to bust bunkers and crack open fortifications. [5]

Perks and levels

All player characters begin with multiple Perks--these include universal perks that apply to all Cybertronians, faction-specific Perks for Autobots and Decepticons, Origin Benefits based on a character's Origin, and Perks based on their chosen Roles and Focuses. As they level up, characters gain additional Role and Focus Perks; at certain levels players may also select from a General Perk from a universal pool to further customize their character.

The Transformers Roleplaying Game does not use an experience-based level system. Instead, levelling is left to the discretion of the GM, who may award the party the opportunity to level up at the end of an adventure or after a key encounter such as a boss fight.

Game content

Sourcebooks

  • Core Rulebook — The first book to be released, which presents the basics of the gameplay and contains rules for character creation, mechanics for tools, equipment, weapons, and vehicles, all to be used while exploring the world of the Transformers along with your friends (as well as the GM). The Core Rulebook also includes material for the Game Master, such as guidelines for creating adventures and campaigns, and a dossier of famous and infamous Cybertronians to use as non-player characters. A starter-adventure, "Troubled Waters", is included in the book to help prepare players and the GM for what the game has to offer.
  • Field Guide to Action and Adventure — A sourcebook meant to not only be used with the Transformers Roleplaying Game, but also with the Power Rangers Roleplaying Game and the G.I. Joe Roleplaying Game. The book offers new character options, as well as rules and tools for GMs to create crossover adventures between the aforementioned roleplaying games and new threats.
  • Decepticon Directive — A sourcebook all about creating Decepticon characters and running a Decepticon campaign. The Decepticon Directive Sourcebook adds several new character options, including a new Role, many of which are also compatible with Autobot characters. Various Decepticon-themed settings, non-player characters, gear, and so forth are also included for GM usage, along with a new adventure scenario.
  • Enigma of Combination — A sourcebook focusing on combiners and binary bonded characters, along with several new Roles, Inspirations, and Focuses.

Adventure scenarios

Adventure scenarios are pre-written game modules that provide a full session's worth of content for players, including characters to interact with, branching story paths based on their choices, and plenty of enemy encounters to overcome.

Bonus material

Additional pieces of material, such as stat blocks for new characters and items the GM can choose to implement, are available as part of a free "Bonus Material" download, which is set to be updated with new content as time goes on.

Transformers Roleplaying Game Starter Bundle

A beginner’s collection of books, PDFs, and Autobot branded accessories to get started in the basic gameplay.

Accessories

  • Fillable PDF Character Sheet (August 2, 2022)
A fillable PDF file of a standard blank character sheet, to be used by the players. The sheet was released on the same day as the digital release of the Core Rulebook, and is available as a free download from Renegade's website.
An 80-page hardcover book designed for more detailed tracking of character information. The journal includes an expanded character sheet, prompts to assist with character building, cheat sheets and other guidelines for quick reference, and 40 pages of space intended for session note-taking.
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We have a feeling that the players won't be able to go all-out murderhobo on these NPCs...
A physical screen designed to hide the contents of the Game Master's side of the table from prying eyes. While the exterior features artwork of Grimlock, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Wheeljack and Windblade, the inside of the screen features rules, lists, and reference tables for the GM's convenience. The screen also comes with a booklet containing the adventure scenario "A Beacon of Hope"; those who pre-ordered also received the PDF version of the adventure for free.
A double-lined fabric dice bag bearing the Autobot insignia; a Decepticon variant is schedule for release in November 2023. It measures 6.25 inches x 8.5 inches flat, and features a locking drawstring clasp. Perfect for holding...
A full set of dice required for play, with the Autobot insignia appearing in place of the highest number on each die to instantly let you know when you roll a critical success. The set includes two d20, a d12, a d10, a d8, a d6, a d4, and a d2 coin. A Decepticon set is scheduled for a November 2023 release.

Notes

  • Frenzy is Red, Rumble is Blue (or both).
  • When first announced it was implied that all of Renegade Game Studios' Hasbro-related releases would use a modified version of the rules for 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons, managed by Hasbro subsidiary Wizards of the Coast, but such plans seem to have been nixed when Renegade announced the creation of their own unique system — stating: “While we originally announced that these RPGs would be using the 5th Edition Open Game License, during development, it became clear that a custom system would allow fans to take better advantage of these unique worlds.” [7]
  • As with a lot of auxiliary Transformers merchandise, the TF:RPG makes heavy use of the Evergreen designs.
  • Unusually for a mostly Generation 1 inspired evergreen product, the TF:RPG makes a number of prominent references to 2001's Robots in Disguise series. The Autobot Road (already a fairly obscure reference) is also referred to as the Global Space Bridge, there's reference to the Black Pyramid, and most apparent, enemy sheets for Mega-Octane and Armorhide.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.dicebreaker.com/universes/power-rangers/news/power-rangers-rpg-deckbuilder-announced
  2. ↑ https://renegadegamestudios.com/blog/introducing-the-essence20-roleplaying-system/
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 Transformers Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Field Guide to Action and Adventure
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 Decepticon Directive
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 The Enigma of Combination
  7. ↑ https://www.polygon.com/tabletop-games/22652204/power-rangers-g-i-joe-transformers-tabletop-rpg-release-date-price

External links