Ratchet Contact Build (Transformers Essence20 rpg)

The Transformers Contact Build for this article is the famous Autobot medical officer: Ratchet!

When originally created, Ratchet would have been the first female Transformers. Bob Budiansky based their name on Nurse Ratched from the novel "One Flew Over the Cuckcoo's Nest." However, the higher-ups in Marvel didn't think that a the robots Transformers should have any gender roles in their society. Thus Ratchet was assigned male like all the original characters of the TF run.

For those TF fans in the know, I have seen some good female Ratchet art. My particular favorite is this one from The Amazing Spino.

While only a secondary character at best in the G1 cartoon series, Ratchet had a solid start as a main character in the Marvel Comic book. They were one of the few surviving Autobots after issue #4 who still functioned after a deadly sneak attack by the Decepticon Shockwave. Ratchet went on to have many cool adventures, including finding the Dinobots and rescuing the Autobots from Shockwave with their aid. Ratchet even took down Megatron on their own... TWICE! 

Although... that last time also resulted in one of the most horrific scenes I've ever seen in any comic book EVER!

So yeah, speak the name Ratchet with honor. They are truly More Than Meets The Eye!

RATCHET

“You break it, I’ll remake it.”

Ratchet is the Autobots' Chief Medical Officer. If something brakes, he can fix it. Ratchet is known for his irreverent bedside manner; he loves having a good time, and his party-loving nature has given him a dry wit. He is not a particularly mighty warrior, which sometimes leads him to believe that he is expendable. Optimus Prime has trouble convincing Ratchet that this is far from the truth.

Although he's a healer, Ratchet often finds himself on the front lines of combat and, on occasion, the last hope the Autobots have. These pressures are sometimes too much for him to handle, but Ratchet ultimately never gives up.

Influences

Machinist: Before he was a doctor, Ratchet was one of the most brilliant engineers on Cybertron. He was well known for his ability to put machines back together as well as designing weapons, his fame even reaching as far as Caminus. But when he saw what those weapons did during the war, he gave up engineering and devoted himself to medicine.

Origin

Support: Ratchet assumes the alt-mode of a Nissan Onebox Vanette Ambulance.

Role and Focus

Scientist (Medical Officer): Seriously, is there any other option for building Ratchet?

Essence Scores and Skills

Strength 4: Brawn +d4, Might +d4

Speed 4: Driving +d4, Targeting +d4

Smarts 8: Alertness +d2, Science +d4, Technology (Repair) +d8

Social 10: Animal Handling +d2, Deception +d6, Performance +d2, Persuasion +d8, Streetwise +d2

Gaining Ratchet As A Contact

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

Mentor: Ratchet wants nothing more than for Cybertronians to care for one another. He is willing to fix both Autobots and Decepticons with equal measure, asking them to pay forward his kindness to others. Hopefully, this contribution will ease the suffering of the war. PCs who spend their downtime with Ratchet to absorb his wisdom, succeeding on a DC 15 Alertness (Insight) Skill Test, gain Ratchet as a permanent Contact.

Allegiance Points: 3

Contact Perks

Life Support (1 Allegiance Point): In and out of the medical bay, Ratchet focuses on helping others. A PC gains an Edge on a Science Skill Test.

Safety First (3 Allegiance Points): At least when he’s not too busy partying, Ratchet doesn’t take risks. A PC gains resistance to a Damage type of their choice until the beginning of their next turn.

Stat! (2 Allegiance Points): The less time Ratchet has, the faster he moves. Once this scene, a PC can attempt a Skill Test to heal an ally as a Free action.

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