Transformer Traits

Transformers

Transformers are a sentient robotic species chiefly originating on the planet Cybertron. All of these super robotic lifeforms possess at least two distinct modes and are able to shift between them at will. One form is the primary (often humanoid) robotic mode and the other is an alternate mode of some kind; commonly a vehicle or weapon. Unlike constructs, Transformers are truly alive and possess all eight basic abilities. They are effectively immune to aging; although older Transformers may develop signs of old age via wear and tear or exposure to harmful conditions. Transformers are capable of surviving in outer space and possess the associated environmental immunities. While they are immune to most of the diseases and poisons that affect organic lifeforms, there are numerous toxins and pathogens capable of harming these amazing beings.

Despite possessing a Stamina score, Transformers often require repairs. When a Transformer fails a Toughness check against physical damage, or particularly harmful (particularly Penetrating) energy attacks, the damage may not heal on its own. The Transformer character should receive a victory point for needing to seek repairs; a feat surprisingly few Transformers and exceedingly rare human beings have the training and expertise to manage.

Transformer Traits

In a game series consisting of only Transformers, the following traits should be provided to all player characters for no point cost. In a mixed series, Transformer characters should pay the full character point cost for these traits and may also be required to purchase Immunity to diseases and poisons limited to those of Terrestrial origin with Cybertronian (or similar) hazards affecting them normally:

•Immunity 6 +innate — aging, cold environments, suffocation, environmental radiation, environmental vacuum 7 pts

•Morph 1 -increased action, +metamorph 5 pts

A Transformer’s Morph ability requires a move action and allows them to change into one other form (such as a vehicle) with a different set of traits. Their mental abilities often remain the same in both modes, but some variance may be appropriate. Use of the transformation Morph effect is noticeable as parts shift and loudly ratchet into new positions. A Transformer’s color scheme and usually their insignia, which familiar characters can recognize fairly easily, remain in both modes. A few Transformers have two or more alternate modes. Usually, these are limited enough that they can be represented as a single alternate effect but a Transformer with a truly dizzying array of alternate forms should possess the Variable (effect instead of Morph) with a 1-point Quirk that all of the forms share the same color scheme and be Limited to machine forms.

Circuits

Transformer biology includes a number of circuits, some possessed by all nearly all individuals. These represent intrinsic portions of Transformer biology and personality and larger exist as descriptors including the following: bio-circuits, brain circuits, conflict circuits, electro circuits, equilibrium circuits, logic circuits, memory circuits, morale circuits, nerve circuits, neural circuits, oral circuits, personality circuits, reason circuits, security circuits, servo circuits, transformation circuits and even truth circuits. Transformers with unusually advanced circuitry may gain additional effects with the associated descriptor(s); Prowl’s enhanced logic circuits, for example. Transformers with easily manipulated brain circuits (or brain modules) may have the ability to transfer their mind into other bodies or may be especially vulnerable to abilities that manipulate them (like Bombshell’s cerebro-shells).

Less common circuitry types include chameleon circuits (which generate a Concealment Blending effect), auxiliary memory circuits and shielding circuitry which can disguise a Transformer’s insignia.

Processors

All Transformers possess a core processor (also referred to as a central or cerebral processor) which houses the most crucial circuitry components and is analogous to the human brain. Sentient Transformers also possess a logic processor and a meta processor (which allows self awareness). Most also possess vocal processors and there are likely countless other types of processors that facilitate life and functionality. Unless they are especially advanced or modified in some way, these processors simply add descriptors to a Transformer’s various traits.

Programs
Like processors, programs are a largely descriptive feature. Some characters may possess uncommon programs or have particularly well-developed programming that justifies higher than usual abilities or skills, or provides additional faculties in the form of powers. Known programs include combat programming, humility programming, personality programming, predictive programming (which may allow for Danger Sense or mental Quickness) and timing programming.

Sensors

Transformer senses are similar to humans by default, however many Transformers possess enhanced or unusual (by human standards) senses. Almost every Transformer possesses audio, olfactory and optical sensors (also called photocells) and extended senses are possessed by significant numbers of Transformers (particularly among those involved in the Great War). Less common sensors include equilibrium sensors (which may provide enhanced movement (such as Sure-Footed or Wall-Crawling Limited to upright movement), rear mounted optical senses (essentially providing radial vision and possibly Danger Sense), targeting sensors (which may provide Enhanced Advantages such as Improved Aim or Ranged Attack) and surveillance packages (providing a Radio sense, Tracking ability and other associated sensory effects).

Size

Transformers are often a size other than medium (size rank -2) possessing ranks of Growth or Shrinking and often modified with Innate and Permanent. Some Transformers have an alternate mode that is a different size than their primary mode while others can seemingly adjust their size (represented as additional ranks of Growth or Shrinking without the Innate or Permanent modifiers). The mechanisms by which Transformers adjust their size are somewhat mysterious. Transformers who change size when alternating between modes may physically shift their mass so that they become denser and more compact or allow them to occupy a greater area while being composed of largely empty space.

Many Transformers are the same size rank as their alternate modes with those who take the form of a car being large in both forms, for example. Others have alternate modes that are essentially downscaled replicas of actual vehicles. Specifically, some Decepticon jets appear to be large or huge while a functional military jet for use by humans would actually be larger.

Unusual Transformer Traits

Most Transformers have abilities which are reasonably well defined by the traits previously described, however a number of exceptional Transformers exist, often being examples of a sub-category of super-robotic lifeform.

Combiner

Combiners are Transformer individuals with the ability to combine into a larger, shared form which functions as an individual (often to the point of having a distinct personality). Two, three or four member combiners may be individual humanoid robots who share an alternate mode or may have the ability to function independently in two modes while having a “powered-up” combined mode. Larger teams of individuals may have the ability to form a super “gestalt” robot when all of the component characters are present and able to occupy a designated space in the combined form (one member forms an arm, another forms the shoulders and head, and so on). Gestalts may have no persona of their own requiring their component members to agree and cooperate in order to function, while others become an individual entity possessing a will (and perhaps even agenda) separate from that of its components.

Combiners possess the Combine power which is a specialized version of the Summon effect allowing all of the component characters to join (summon the combined form) into one larger character. The effect requires that all component characters be present and it effectively removes the component characters from play (because they are inside the combined form). Usually the point cost of the Combine power is evenly divided between all of the component characters.

Free Combiners

Free combination combiners are often members of a team with five members with one larger member (often the team leader) who forms a robotic torso with the other members forming the limbs of the combined form. These types of combiners can form their combined mode even while one or more members is absent (with the combined form consequently missing one or more limbs) and may substitute other free combiners for missing members to create unique entities with unpredictable results. The secret of combination appears to be able to give any Transformer the ability to combine this way, but due to the capricious nature of the “gestalt” personality created as a result, this type of experimentation is frowned upon except by the desperate and insane.

With free combination, the component character must possess the Combine power, but they do not evenly divide the point cost for the power.

Pretenders

Pretenders are subset of Transformers with the ability to disguise themselves as an organic life form. Pretenders who simply have a cosmetically organic appearance possess the Insidious modifier with their transformation ability making the effect noticeable only with a Perception check or with special senses able to distinguish organic or mechanical life. Some Pretenders have an organic “shell” which encases one of their modes and can more effectively foil such detections requiring an Analytical sense to be employed in order to discern the Transformer’s true nature. Specialized Pretender shells may be able to operate independently of a Transformer’s robot form, which can be replicated with a Summon effect.

Due to their size, most Transformers are limited in the pretender forms that can be used to reasonably disguise them.

Titan Masters

Approximately human sized (or smaller) robots, Titan Masters are an ancient and mysterious group of Transformers who originally worked to maintain the gigantic Titan Transformers. Titan Masters have recently reemerged to join the ranks of the Autobots and Decepticons in the Great War and gained the ability to transform into the heads of larger Cybertronians and transfer new abilities into their bodies (essentially acting as a two member combiner team).

Titan Masters often employ vehicles (which may also transform) to allow them to rival regular Transformers. Some possess individualized non-sentient transforming bodies called Transtectors (which function like Mechamorphs, see Mecha) and use them to function as the equals of larger transformers. Due to their size, Titan Masters make excellent subjects for Pretender technology as they may be able to pass as human.

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