BRAINSTORM (Autobot NPC - Transformers Essence 20 rpg)

 This build uses the Essence20 Transformers rpg by Renegade Game Studios.

Brainstorm is one of the minor NPCs in my Transformers: MASK 88 campaign. He serves as the team's resident scientist and technician at their secret HQ in Jasper, Nevada. He seems incredibly interested in the bonding and interaction between humans and Cybertronians.

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BRAINSTORM

Seeker Scientist (Gadgeteer) 15

Size: Large/Long Health: 6 (8 with Arcana)

Movement: 30 ft. Ground, 30 ft. Aerial (Bot-Mode); 

60 ft. Aerial (Alt-Mode)

Energon: 9

Strength: 5 Speed: 9

Smarts: 8 Social: 9

Toughness: 16 Evasion: 19

Willpower: 18 Cleverness: 19

SKILLS

Alertness d2

Animal Handling d4

Deception d4

Driving (Aerial) d6

Infiltration d2

Initiative d4

Intimidation d4

Might d6

Persuasion d6

Science (Biotechnology) d8

Streetwise d4

Targeting d4

Technology d4

PERKS

Ambidextrous Fighter: Brainstorm is attuned with using both his hands equally well in combat, allowing him to make an attack with each one-handed weapon once as part of a single Standard Action, but each Skill Test suffers ↓1.

Broad Understanding: Outside of combat, Brainstorm rolls all Science Skill Tests as though he is Specialized, although Skill Tests outside of his Specialization suffer ↓2.

Mini-Con Ally: A Mini-Con (Arcana) docks to Brainstorm’s frame.

Mode Conversion (X-Wing Starfighter): Cybertronians spend a Standard Action to convert between Bot Mode and Alt-Mode.

ATTACKS

Flyby (Driving): d6, Reach (1 Blunt Damage)

• Alternate Effects: Maneuver

• Requirements: Alt-Mode only, Move at least 10 ft. before attacking

• Traits: Integrated

Photon Blaster (Targeting): d4, Range 25 ft/80 ft. (1 Sharp Damage)

• Traits: Ballistic

Unarmed: (Might): d6, Reach (1 Stun Damage)

• Alternate Effects: 1 Blunt Damage (↓1), Trip (↓1)

• Traits: Blunt, Martial Arts, Integrated, Silent

POWERS

Construct (Standard): Brainstorm can build any Weapon, any Armor Upgrade, or any Kit, if he spends 1 Energon Point and makes a Technology Skill Test against a Requisition Difficulty of an item he is building. If building a Weapon or Armor Upgrade he is not trained with, or a Kit for a Specialization he doesn't have a rank in, he suffers a Snag on the Skill Test. Someone with appropriate training or Skill can negate the Snag if they Lend Assistance to Brainstorm on their turn. On a failure, the attempt is wasted but Brainstorm does not spend his Energon Point.

GEAR

Armor: Light Armor Matrix (+1 Toughness)

Weapons: Photon Pulse Cannon (Blaster Sidearm) x2

Other: Data Storage/Recording Kit

HANGUPS

Short-Circuit: When Brainstorm rolls a Fumble with any Smarts Skill test, he overheats and shorts out sections of his cerebral-circuitry; taking 1 Smarts Damage.

Sparkmate (Perceptor): Brainstorm is the Conjunx Endura to Perceptor.

Brainstorm is partnered with the anti-social Mini-Con medic: Arcana

ARCANA (Mini-Con)

Size: Common Health: 2; See below

Movement: 20 ft. Aerial, 20 ft. Ground

Strength: 2 Speed: 2

Smarts: 3 Social: 2

Toughness: 12 Evasion: 12

Willpower: 13 Cleverness: 12

SKILLS

Initiative d2

Intimidation d2

Might d2

Persuasion d4

Science d6

Targeting d2

Languages: Cybertronian, English, Latin

PERKS

Dock: While docked with Brainstorm, Arcana perceives through Brainstorm’s sensors and has 1 Free Action.

Linked: Brainstorm gains 2 Health. When Arcana deploys, reduce Brainstorm’s Health by any amount as long as it’s at least 1 and it doesn’t reduce Brainstorm to 0 Health. Arcana gains that amount of Health. This reduction in Health does not count as Damage, cannot be negated by Perks, and does not trigger abilities that depend on Brainstorm taking Damage or losing Health. If Brainstorm does not have at least 2 Health, Arcana cannot deploy.

Purpose: Science.

ATTACKS

Mini-Laser (Targeting): d2, Range 10 ft./50 ft. (1 Laser Damage)

Unarmed (Might): d2, Reach (1 Stun Damage)

• Alternate Effects: 1 Blunt Damage, Maneuver (↓1)

POWERS

Deploy: Brainstorm or Arcana can use a Free Action to deploy Arcana from their dock. Arcana lands standing in a space adjacent to Brainstorm and can act immediately. After deploying, Arcana has a normal number of actions for their Speed. Either Brainstorm or Arcana can use a Free Action to dock as long as they’re adjacent to one another, even if one is Defeated. Brainstorm’s current Health increases an amount equal to Arcana’s current Health.

Helper: When docked with Arcana, Brainstorm gets ↑1 on Skill Tests related to their Purpose.

HANGUPS

Object Alt-Mode: Arcana has a base movement value of 0 while in Alt-Mode, but it grants Edge on all Skill Tests involving Hiding, blending in, or eavesdropping in applicable surroundings.