Bumblebee Contact (Transformers Essence20 rpg)

You knew it was coming! It was only a matter of time before I got to the Bot of Bots... Everybody's favorite little VW bug: Bumblebee!

I've always found it interesting that Bee came to be known as the "friendly buddy character" especially since he's a frickin' SPY! Bumblebee is an espionage agent working under Prowl during the 1980s. Only after Prowl is killed in 2005 (insert rant: Prowl should NOT have been on that transport ship! They were going to gather energon! You don't send the head of your espionage/intelligence division on a milk run! Brawn for heavy lifting? Yes! Ironhide for security? Absolutely! Rachet or medical purposes? It's always good to have a doctor around in case of emergencies. But why was Prowl there!?), does Bumblebee -- as Goldbug -- get promoted to become the new Head of Espionage under Rodimus Prime. But, I guess as a spy, those personality skill really got their workout with all those human integrations. And it allowed Bee to gather a ton of intelligence on human culture through direct contact.

*Shrugs

So, Bee goes through a lot during the late days of the Cybertronian Wars. He's basically the liaison between the Autobots and their numerous human allies. He's eventually remade into a Pretender. Then, after injuries suffered during the interstellar Hate Plague, he's reforged into Goldbug. 

In this article, I have included all of these augmentations for Bumblebee. The only augmentation I have left out is his Action Master build, as I am not planning to use that in my campaign right now.

This article is unofficial, fan-made content using material from the Transformers Essence20 rpg by Renegade Games Studios.

BUMBLEBEE (Classic)

“The least likely can be the most dangerous.”

Bumblebee is one of the smallest and physically weakest Autobots. While his stature allows him to do his job better than most Autobots could manage, he is self-conscious about his size. Maybe this is why he makes fast friends among the humans. He looks up (so to speak) to the other Autobots, especially Optimus Prime, but what he doesn't realize is that they look up to him. He may be small, but he's brave, and he's one of the most well-liked Autobots around. Bumblebee already has the respect he craves.

Influences

Cybertronian Military (Intelligence), Hunter: Before the war, Bumblebee was a member of Cybertron's search and rescue division, but later became a scout for the Autobots.

Origin

Lookout: Bumblebee is one of the smallest of the Autobots.

Role and Focus

Scout (Prowler): Thanks to Bumblebee’s small size, he is able to get into areas few other Transformers can access.

Essence Scores and Skills

Strength 2: Athletics +d4

Speed 4: Driving +d2, Finesse +d4, Infiltration +d2

Smarts 8: Alertness +d8, Survival (Tracking) +d6

Social 7: Deception +d2, Persuasion +d6, Streetwise +d6

Gaining Bumblebee As A Contact

Fellow Autobot: If this Contact is on the scene, the PC can summon him for 1 round.

Intelligence Exchange: As an espionage agent, Bumblebee makes his living gathering information. If the PCs regularly provide Bumblebee with reliable and verifiable intel, they gain Bumblebee as a permanent Contact.

Allegiance Points: 3

Contact Perks

All-Terrain Mode (2 Allegiance Points): Bumblebee can go underwater for reconnaissance and salvage missions. The PCs have an Aquatic Move equal to their Bot-Mode Ground Move until the end of the scene.

Brave (3 Allegiance Points): There are few Autobots who can match Bumblebee for their feats of bravery and courage. Until the end of the scene, all attempts to give the PCs the Frightened Condition suffer Snag.

Fuel Efficient (1 Allegiance Point): Bumblebee is one of the most energy efficient members of the Autobots. A PC regains 1 spent Energon Point.

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BUMBLEBEE (Recommissioned Pretender)

In 1989, after the Autobots perfected the means of reverse-engineering the Pretender technology utilized by the Decepticons, Bumblebee was recommissioned with a new Pretender chassis. In this new form, Bee is stronger and tougher than before. He is otherwise still the same free-wheeling, fun-loving Autobot he ever was.

Bee’s pretender upgrades include a (rarely-used) sonic blaster, rocket pack, multi-band radio transmitter and thermal tracking sensors. In his VW Beetle alt-mode, Bee is equipped with x-ray headlights that can be used to burn through solid rock. He’s also been given a general armor upgrade.

Origin

Pretender: With his Pretender form, Bumblebee is able to better hide among his numerous human allies and companions while he seeks out and eliminates the Decepticon Pretenders hiding within humanity.

Essence Scores and Skills

Strength 7: Athletics +d6, Might (Stinger) +d6

Speed 4: Driving +d4, Infiltration +d2, Initiative +d2

Smarts 8: Alertness +d8, Survival (Tracking) +d6

Social 7: Deception +d2, Persuasion +d6, Streetwise +d6

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GOLDBUG (Rebuilt Bumblebee)

“To know others you must know yourself first.”

As Goldbug — his rebuilt and "matured" form — Bumblebee retains most of his earlier strengths and weaknesses, but without his crippling need for approval. (This is true of some "matured" versions of Bumblebee without new names or bodies, as well, but is quite markedly associated with the change to Goldbug).

Goldbug is the Director of the Autobot Espionage Division (following the death of Prowl during the Unicron Singularity in 2005). He is aided in his efforts by a team of specialists known as the Throttlebots.

Goldbug enhancements include a shiny laser-resistant armor upgrade.

Origin

Champion: It is in this capacity as Goldbug that “Bumblebee" might appear in his iconic Chevy Camaro alt-mode, made famous by the Bayverse films.

Essence Scores and Skills

Strength 9: Athletics +d6, Brawn +d4, Might (Stinger) +d6

Speed 4: Driving +d4, Infiltration +d2, Initiative +d2

Smarts 8: Alertness +d8, Survival (Tracking) +d6

Social 7: Deception +d2, Persuasion +d6, Streetwise +d6

Gaining Bumblebee As A Contact

As the head of Autobot Intelligence and espionage, Goldbug has greater influence and ability, increasing his Allegiance Points fund to 5 and adding new Contact Perks to his list.

Friend to the Humans: Few other Autobots are as close to the humans of Earth as Goldbug. He’s made numerous friends, contacts, and allies among the humans during his short time on Earth. If a PC has the Human Companion General Perk or the Earthspoiled Hang-Up, they gain Goldbug as a permanent Contact.

Allegiance Points: 5

Contact Perks

Goldbug has all the Contact Perks of Bumblebee in addition to the following:

Silent As A Shadow (2 Allegiance Points): Few can match Goldbug for his stealth. All of a PC’s movement and attacks are considered Silent until the end of their turn.

Small Friends (1 Allegiance Point): The human companions of Goldbug are always there to provide words of encouragement. A PC regains 1 Health Point.

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