Optimus Prime (Essence20 NPC Build)

Having played the Transformers rpg by Renegade Game Studios for a couple of session now, I am very happy with most of the functions of the system. It is very easy to play, learn, and teach. Most of the PC creation is automated, with only a few necessary choices on the part of the player.

I am not particularly excited about the NPC builds they have in the back of the core rulebook. As such, I have been creating my own. Most recently, I have a finished my personal build for Big red himself: Optimus Prime. And yes, this includes a build for the Matrix of Leadership.

As per my standard NPC builds, I base their Essence Scores on the Tech Specs provided by their action figures. Health is equal to the Endurance from their Tech Spec.

"Freedom is the right of all sentient beings."

OPTIMUS PRIME

Monolith Field Commander 23

Size: Huge, Extended Health: 20

Movement: 20 ft. (Bot-Mode); 45 ft. (Alt-Mode)

Energon: 10

Strength: 10 Speed: 8

Smarts: 10 Social: 10

Toughness: 24 Evasion: 18

Willpower: 20 Cleverness: 20

SKILLS

Alertness d4

Brawn d12 

Culture (History) d8

Deception d2

Driving d4

Infiltration d2

Initiative d2

Might (Axe) d6

Perform d4

Persuasion (Diplomacy, Truth) d10

Science d2

Targeting (Rifle) d6

Technology d2

Languages: Cybertronian, English, Italian, Japanese

PERKS

Bang! Bang!: Optimus can attack twice when he uses the Attack action to attack with a Ballistic weapon.

Commander: When using the Lend Assistance action, Optimus Prime can grant the recipient both an Edge and a ↑1 to their Skill Test.

Mode Conversion (Freightliner COE Dual-Axle Semi Truck): Cybertronians spend a Standard Action to convert between Bot Mode and Alt-Mode.

Plow: Either in his Alt-Mode or driving a vehicle with a Ram Attack, any movement Optimus Prime makes this turn ignores Rough Terrain, and his Ram attack gains Multiple Targets (3). He can use Ram on up to three targets within his Reach at any point in his movement.

Reforged by Alpha Trion: Optimus Prime’s carrying weight is doubled. He gains a +2 Toughness. Additionally, when an opponent targets Prime with a Blunt, Cold, or Fire Attack, they suffer a ↓1 on their attack roll.

ATTACKS

Energon Axe (Might): d6, Reach (2 Fire Damage)

• Alternate Effects: 3 Fire Damage (two hands)

• Hands: 1 or 2

• Traits: Deadly, Element (fire), Intimidating, Martial Arts, Sharp, Silent

Ion Rifle (Targeting): d6, Range 100 ft./400 ft. (2 Sharp Damage)

• Hands: 2

• Traits: Anti-Tank, Ballistic, Deadly, Sniper

Ram (Driving): d4, Reach (2 Blunt Damage, Multiple Targets 3)

• Alternate Effects: Maneuver

• Requirements: Alt-Mode Only, must move 10 ft. before attacking.

• Traits: Integrated

POWERS

Never Forsaken (1/scene): When an ally within 50 ft. of Optimus Prime takes Damage, he can move to be adjacent to that ally, converting if he needs to, and take the Damage instead, even if the attack would not normally penetrate his Defenses.

GEAR

Armor: Medium Armor Matrix (+2 Toughness)

Weapons: Energon Axe, Ion Rifle

Other: Matrix of Leadership

HANGUPS

Aloof: Prime longs for a return to a simpler time when he can be a data clerk again. Besides his role as leader of the Autobots and making inspirational speeches, Prime has difficulty relating to others in a casual manner, suffering a ↓1 to Social-based Skill Tests in non-important matters.

No Matter The Cost: Every casualty, human or Cybertronian, weighs heavily on his spark. When Prime reduces a foe to 0 Health, all attacks against him are made with an Edge until the start of his next turn.

The Matrix of Leadership

This artifact was created by Primus, the creator-god of the Transformers, to serve as a conduit for his power. These divine powers put it at the center of much Autobot religion and spirituality; while many Decepticons are less inclined to believe in its divinity, they still covet the increased physical power it is known to convey upon its holders. As one of the embodiments of Primus, the Matrix is the antithesis to Unicron, and one of the very few things that chaos-bringer fears.

It is traditionally handed down in succession to the leaders of the Autobots: first Prima, then Nova Prime, then Sentinel Prime, then Optimus Prime. In the future, it will be passed to Rodimus Prime. Certain Matrix holders aren’t always regarded as Primes, and not all Primes are true Matrix holders. For example, Ultra Magnus once possessed the Matrix of Leadership, but was not a Prime.

As the bearer of the Matrix of Leadership you gain the following Traits:

• Energon Battery: You store a number of personal Energon Points equal to your highest Essence Score, not your lowest.

• Great Mental and Physical Prowess: You gain ↑2 on all Skill Tests. You never suffer a Snag from attempting to use an untrained Skill.

• Hard to Kill: You gain a number of Health equal to your Strength Essence.

• Light of Primus: The light cast from the Matrix of Leadership can fully restore the sparks of other Transformers. Cybertronians exposed to the light of the Matrix can be healed, as per the standard healing rules. You make a Technology Skill Test to see how many Health are restored.

• Wisdom of the Primes: You can speak to the previous bearers of the Matrix and gain their knowledge. This provides you with Culture (Cybertron) +1d12 as a Specialized Skill. This Skill Test is alway made with an Edge