Sideswipe and Sunstreaker Contact Builds (Transformers Essence20 rpg)

Today's Contact Build is a two-for-one special with the twin Autobot warriors: Sideswipe and Sunstreaker.

These two Bots were part of the original G1 team, assuming the same alt-mode, but having different conversions into their robot forms. This was a nice feature for the toymakers to include, in contrast to say... the Decepticon Seekers, who all had the same conversion process between all SIX characters!

Over the years and different incarnations of the setting, Sideswipe has enjoyed the limelight a bit more than Sunstreaker. Sideswipe has been featured in the Bayverse films as well as starring as a main character in Bumblebee's team in the TF: Robots In Disguise series following TF: Prime. Sunstreaker has not been so lucky.

While originally depicted as twin brothers, modern fans have altered the genders of these twin Autobots, usually depicting both as female or sometimes just one (often Sunstreaker, owing to their vain personality) as female. 

(*cough* Sexism! *cough*)

Men can be vain too, fellas!

Again, I enjoy this fan-art from The Amazing Spino featuring the twins as female 'Bots.

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

SIDESWIPE

“I don’t break rules, I bend them – a lot.”

Sideswipe is not nearly as much of a sociopath as their sibling Sunstreaker, but they are every bit as skillful. They’re more into battle for the sport of it. A bit of a jock, Sideswipe most craves a glorious fight to the finish as a test of their mettle.

With a little reckless edge in their tactics, Sideswipe makes rash decisions that may endanger themselves, all in the name of possible victory. When everything is on the line, nothing is out of the question for Sideswipe, even cheating. Although their reckless attitude has not changed over time, their cause has: once in it solely for the glory, they’re now driven by the desire to defend freedom and the innocent.

Influences

Checkered Past, Cybertronian with Attitude (Rebellious), Thrillseeker: Before the war, Sideswipe was a trader who liked to con their customers. These Influences come from the Field Guide to Action and Adventure, GIJoe rpg, and Power rangers rpg, and better represent Sideswipe than others from the Transformers rulebooks.

Origin

Champion: Sideswipe assumes the alt-mode of a Lamborghini Countach LP500S.

Role and Focus

Warrior (Pugilist): Equipped with his pneumatic “piledriver arms,” Sideswipe is the perfect candidate to be the type of hand-to-hand fighter represented by the Pugilist Warrior Focus from the Enigma of Combination sourcebook.

Essence Scores and Skills

Strength 7: Athletics +d4, Brawn +d4, Might +d6

Speed 7: Driving +d4, Initiative +d4, Targeting +d6

Smarts 7: Alertness +d6, Culture +d4, Technology +d4

Social 6: Deception +d6, Persuasion +d2, Streetwise +d4

Gaining Sideswipe As A Contact

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

Glory Hound: Sideswipe likes to win. They are  always up for a challenge, so they can bask in another glorious victory over others. If a PC spends their downtime challenging Sideswipe to some physical competition – racing, sport, etc. – and the PC loses the competing Skill Tests, without suffering a critical failure, the PC gains Sideswipe as a permanent Contact.

Allegiance Points: 3

Contact Perks

Jet Pack (2 Allegiance Points): Sideswipe is one of the few Autobots equipped with a jetpack allowing for aerial maneuverability. A PC gains an Aerial Movement equal to their normal Ground Movement until the end of the scene.

Pneumatic Punches (1 Allegiance Point): Sideswipe’s punches bring the ‘Cons down in a single strike. A PC gains the Deadly Upgrade on their Unarmed Attack. They deal double damage to objects and structures with their Unarmed Attack. This upgrade lasts until the beginning of their next turn.

Rule-Bender (3 Allegiance Ponts): Sideswipe knows how to fast-talk their way around any situation. The PCs automatically succeed on all Deception Skill Tests until the end of the scene.

SUNSTREAKER

“They can’t beat the best.”

Sunstreaker knows to the core of their spark that they are better than any other Autobot, and makes sure everyone else knows it, too. Their sociopathic tendencies, combined with an incredible vanity and arrogance, usually result in tension between themselves and the other Autobots. They are generally unwilling to help those who are having trouble keeping up, and are quite audible when it comes to complaining about the shortcomings of everyone else. The only Autobot they truly get along with is their twin, Sideswipe, and even that can seem strained at times.

The main reason Optimus Prime keeps them around is most likely Sunstreaker's effectiveness on the battlefield. Ruthless and skilled in all forms of combat, there is not much Sunstreaker cannot handle. As a front-line warrior, Sunstreaker is a great asset for the Autobot army. If a rather scary one.

Influences

Artisan, Cybertronian Military (Silver Medal Syndrome), Cybertronian with Attitude (Rebellious): Before joining the Autobot army, Sunstreaker was a successful mural artist. Sunstreaker draws from the GIJoe rpg, Field Guide to Action and Adventure, Power Rangers rpg, and the Cobra Codex to build upon their background.

Origin

Champion: Sunstreaker assumes the alt-mode of a Lamborghini Countach LP500S.

Role and Focus

Gunner (Cannoneer): Armed with laser-guided surface-to-air missiles designed to shoot down Decepticon Seekers, Sunstreaker is the perfect example of a Cannoneer Gunner.

Essence Scores and Skills

Strength 5: Brawn +d2, Intimidation +d4, Might +d4

Speed 7: Driving +d4, Initiative +d4, Targeting +d6

Smarts 6: Alertness +d4, Culture +d4, Technology +d4

Social 6: Deception +d6, Performance +d2, Persuasion +d2, Streetwise +d2

Gaining Sunstreaker As A Contact

Ego Stroke: The vanity of Sunstreaker is legendary. If the PCs spend their downtime flattering Sunstreaker with praise, succeeding on three DIF 15 Alertness, Deception, or Persuasion Skill Tests, they gain Sunstreaker as a permanent Contact. Presenting Sunstreaker with gifts of high-grade oil, lubricant, or body wax provides the PCs with ↑1 on these Skill Tests.

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

Allegiance Points: 3

Contact Perks

Artillery-Resistant Polymer-Steel (2 Allegiance Points): Sunstreaker’s body is highly resistant to impact. A PC gains resistance to Blunt and Sharp Damage until the start of their next turn.

Can’t Beat the Best (3 Allegiance Points): Sunstreaker prides themselves at being the best at everything they do. A PC Critically Succeeds on all Skill Tests made during their next turn.

Laser-Guided Ground-to-Air Missiles (1 Allegiance Point): Sunstreaker is ready to take down Decepticon Seekers at a moment’s notice. One Threat in the Combat scene suffers 2 Sharp Damage. If the Threat is flying, they immediately crash into the ground, suffering another 1 Blunt Damage.

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