Wheeljack Contact Build (Transformers Essence20 rpg)

Today's Essence20 Contact build features the Autobot mechanical engineer: Wheeljack!

While billed as the resident mechanical engineer of the Autobot faction, he's more like their mad science weapons designer. He spends less time on fixing things around the Ark, leaving that to the likes of Hoist and other engineers, while Jack is busy in his lab trying to build his newest toy that is designed to help end the war... only for said device to ultimately blow up in the face of whomever is brave enough to use it.

He's even gone so far as to augment himself with advanced weapons and a few technological surprises, including jet fuel in his arms allowing him to launch himself into the sky like a rocket, and shoulder-mounted magnetic gyro-inhibitor shells designed to hinder the mental and movement faculties of Decepticons struck by their blasts. And that's just the normal kind of thing he goes into the field using...

I also find it interesting that, according to his original tech specs, Wheeljack is supposed to be one of the best drivers of all the original Autobots. he is supposed to be known for his impressive vehicular stunts! Huh... something that NEVER came up in the original animated series or the Marvel Comic.

During the Transformers: Prime series, Wheeljack was redesigned to be a gruff war veteran and member of the Wreckers. He had none of the scientific or engineering know-how of his previous incarnations. However, in all subsequent reboots of the Transformers, they have returned Jack to his roots as a scientific engineer.

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

WHEELJACK

“Never do what your enemy expects you to do.”

Wheeljack is his own worst enemy. Something of a crackpot inventor, a good half of his creations blow up in his face, and that's just if he's lucky. His constant need to invent increasingly complex devices stems from his desire to improve the Autobots' tech, but as a result he's simultaneously one of the Autobots' greatest assets and problems; for every successful gadget he builds, there's one which requires Ratchet or Hoist to put him (and his lab) back together. But once in a while he strikes gold, which has won him respect from even the Decepticons.

He is, however, not a complete nerd. As good as he is in the lab, Wheeljack is just as amazing on the road: there are few stunts he can't pull off, and he loves to show off his driving skills as much as he does his inventions. He is, however, a little less confident when it comes to flying, which he accomplishes using solid-fuel rocket jets in his forearms.

Influences

Experiment, Inventor, Morale Booster: Once one of Sentinel Prime's premier scientists, Wheeljack answered Optimus Prime's rallying call against Decepticon tyranny and went on to become one of the new Prime's closest allies.

Origin

Champion: Wheeljack assumes the alt-mode of a Lancia Stratos Turbo

Role and Focus

Scientist (Gadgeteer): This role and focus from the TF core rulebook was designed with characters like Wheeljack specifically in mind.

Essence Scores and Skills

Strength 7: Athletics +d4, Brawn +d4, Intimidation +d2, Might +d4

Speed 7: Driving (Land) +d8, Targeting +d4

Smarts 9: Alertness +d4, Science +d4, Technology (Advanced Technology) +d8

Social 10: Deception +d6, Persuasion (Embellishments) +d6, Streetwise +d6

Gaining name As A Contact

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

Try Not to Blow Up!: Wheeljack is always ready to test out some new weapon or device he’s prepared with helping stop the War in mind. If the PCs aid Wheeljack in field-testing his newest device, succeeding on three Technology Skill Tests that increase in DIF as the tests occur. The first Skill Test is DIF 16, the second is DIF 20, the third is DIF 24. Failure at any one of these Skill Tests by 5 or more results in the PCs suffering 1 Sharp Damage (double for a critical failure on the Skill Test).. Success on all three Skill Tests results in the PCs adding Wheeljack as a permanent Contact.

Allegiance Points: 3

Contact Perks

Mad Science (2 Allegiance Points): Unlike Perceptor, Wheeljack is skilled at explaining advanced technological jargon in ways easy for others to understand. A PC succeeds on all Technology Skill Tests during this scene.

Rocket Fuel Boosters (1 Allegiance Point): Wheeljack added a little something extra to the PC’s gear while they weren’t looking. A PC gains an Aerial Movement equal to double their normal Ground Movement. This additional movement functions until the beginning of their next turn.

Upgrade (3 Allegiance Points): Wheeljack is always ready with a new device to test out. During the equipment requisition phase of a mission, each PC is provided with one free Restricted or Prototypical Weapon, Kit, or Upgrade.

Contact Hang-Ups

His Own Worst Enemy: Every time one of Wheeljack’s Contact Perks is used, the PC must succeed on a DIF 16 Technology Skill Test. On a failure, Wheeljack’s newest device explodes in his face, and he is removed from the Mission.

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