Cliffjumper Contact (Transformers Essence20 rpg)

Today's Transformers Contact build is based on a 'Bot who needs more recognition. In recent years, Cliffjumper has been the "Bot that dies" in every movie series he's appeared (Transformers: Prime, the Bumblebee Movie, etc.). In the new Image Energon Universe comic series, he's been featured heavily -- in place of Bumblebee -- as the character who interacts most with humans.

Many folks may remember Cliffjumper's bravado and eagerness to blast Decepticons from the first episode of the G1 Transformers cartoon. Here, he had Megatron directly in the sights of his particle cannon... only to MISS! But honestly, this sort of thing is perfectly represented in Essence20 by the "Impulsive" Hang-Up Cliffjumper possesses.

Another fun fact regarding Cliffjumper is that the Decepticons think of him like the boogyman! It's like that episode of "Burn Notice" when the Russian agents heard "Michael Westen" was coming after them. They thought Michael Westen was a myth told to little spies to make them eat their vegetables. Then they started crapping their pants when Michael actually showed up. This is the same as what happens with Decepticons and Cliffjumper!

Cliff's taken down so many 'Cons in his day that Optimus Prime has assigned him as the Ark's Quartermaster. That way, he can keep all the guns nice, shiny, and in proper working order. And he's always checking in with the newbies to see if they want an upgrade with their standard loadout.

So yeah, when you talk about ol' Cliffjumper, you put some respect on that name!

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

CLIFFJUMPER

“Strike first, strike fast, strike hard.”

Nobody hates Decepticons more than Cliffjumper. He's always ready to charge into battle, a gung-ho little hero who'll take on any threat with a cry of "Lemme at 'em!" He's daring, dedicated, and determined, and takes the business of fighting evil seriously, but he's not a patient 'bot; he'll often act without thinking, shooting first and asking questions later, or picking fights that he really can't hope to win. He's even been known to blow out his own tires by speeding into action too quickly!

Cliffjumper doesn't dislike Earth, but any concern he has for it comes in a distant second to taking down a 'Con, and that means he'll often cause damage to the surrounding area in battle without really thinking about it, which in turn leads to lectures from Optimus Prime. But that's far from the worst disagreement he's been known to have with his fellow Autobots: his hatred for the Decepticons is so great that, if he gets the sense one of his team-mates isn't fully committed to the Autobot cause, he'll be quick to point an accusing finger and even cry "traitor!", as Mirage has found out more than once.

Influences

Racer, War Veteran: Before the war, Cliffjumper was best buddies with Bumblebee and Hubcap, forming a trio of friends who'd enjoy the races together. At one point in the early days of the Decepticon uprising, Cliffjumper and Hubcap were weirded out when Bumblebee started acting odd and stopped hanging out with them (as Bee started training as a spy).

Origin

Champion: Cliffjumper assumes the alt-mode of a Porsche 924 Turbo.

Role and Focus

Gunner (Cannonade): As the war spread across Cybertron, Cliffjumper embraced the path of a warrior as a few other Autobots did. He became a weapons expert, skilled in both ranged and melee combat. His skills earned him a dubious role as an assassin, but it was a job he took to easily.

Essence Scores and Skills

Strength 4: Athletics +d2, Intimidation +d2, Might +d4

Speed 7: Driving +d4, Infiltration +d2, Initiative +d2, Targeting (Upgraded Weaponry) +d4

Smarts 4: Alertness +d2, Technology (Weapons Tech) +d4

Social 5: Deception +d2, Performance +d2, Persuasion +d2, Streetwise +d4

Gaining Cliffjumper As A Contact

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

Gun Bunny: The only thing Cliffjumper enjoy more than smashing Decepticons is talking about his guns. If the PCs spend their downtime comparing weapons with Cliffjumper or helping him develop new weapons, and succeed on three DIF 14 Science, Technology, or Targeting Skill Tests, they gain Cliffjumper as a permanent Contact.

Allegiance Points: 3

Contact Perks

Glass Gas (1 Allegiance Points): Cliffjumper’s signature weapon is a “glass gas” blaster which makes metal as brittle as glass. Choose one Threat in the combat scene. That Threat has their Toughness reduced by 4 until the end of the scene.

Decepticon Enmity (3 Allegiance Points): Cliffjumper’s disdain toward the Decepticons is rivaled only by his will to defeat them. A PC is immune to the Frightened and Mesmerized conditions when they can see at least one Decepticon. This lasts until the end of the scene.

Secret Arsenal (2 Allegiance Point): Cliffjumper is always pulling new weapons from seemingly nowhere. One moment he has a laser pistol; the next, it’s a rocket launcher, or a flamethrower sprouting from his arm. A PC may swap out one of their existing requisitioned weapons for another weapon. This new weapon must have the same number of “hands” to use, and the PC must have the skills to qualify for use of the weapon. The new weapon must have at least 1 weapon upgrade. The new weapon is swapped back for their standard weapon at the end of the scene.

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