Jetfire Contact Build (Transformers Essence20 rpg)

The contact build for today is a controversial character in the Transformers universe: The Autobot Air Defender Jetfire!

Jetfire (also known as Skyfire in the G1 animated series) wasbrought into the Transformers toy line when Habsro bought the rights to the transforming Veritech fighter jet toy from what was supposed to be the Macross / Robotech series. Because of this toy coup, when Robotech became popular in the United States, kids could not buy any veritech fighter toys, as it was exclusive to Transformers as Jetfire! There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth... at least, from those kids who didnt know they could repaint their toys and make custom figures.

Meanwhile, in both the animated series and comic, Jetfire was the first character to switch sides for the better. He started as a Decepticon, only to eventually become an Autobot. This tradition continued in the  recent Transformers War For Cybertron Netflix trilogy.

In my own campaign, Jetfire is the commander of the Autobot air force. His role as a scientist is reduced, as the Autobots need the advantage he provides in their battle against the ever-present Decepticon Seekers. He later goes on to be the commander for the Aerialbots (including Powerglide). Later, as the Autobots regain allies able to assume aerial forms, Jetfire is able to spend more time in the lab, as he prefers.

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

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JETFIRE

"Among mysteries of science lies the key to victory."

Jetfire (aka Skyfire) is a bot of science, literally. Not only is his mind dedicated towards scientific pursuits, but his body is a testament to the technology he studies so intensely. (Some would say "religiously", but not in his presence.) Every inch of his chassis is cutting-edge and kept up-to-date. However, he does not have the trust of his teammates; it was not so long ago that he was a Decepticon. Jetfire is compassionate, so some Autobots feel that he could be soft on their enemies or, even worse, he may turn on them after realizing his "cold calculations" swing the other way.

Jetfire would find their misconceptions about science appalling. After all, is not science just the pursuit of truth? And truth, he maintains, walks hand-in-hand with liberty.

Influences

Experiment, Titanspark, Traitor: Millions of years ago on Cybertron, before the war, Skyfire and Starscream were good friends and fellow scientists. Joining the Decepticons, Jetfire served as the fearsome leader of the Seekers. But as the war progressed and the Decepticons went from freedom fighters to terrorists ravaging other worlds, he denounced their cause to join the Autobots.

Origin

Seeker: Jetfire’s alt-mode is a modified F-14 Tomcat. Despite his role as a scientist, Jetfire fills the position of commander to the Autobot air force. As he is one of the few flying Autobots in their ranks, he is too important an asset to waste in a laboratory.

Role and Focus

Scientist (Cyber Engineer): Jetfire believes that, as a scientist, his own body should reflect the peak of perfection for a Cybertronian. He is constantly modifying his body with the latest in technological innovations.

Essence Scores and Skills

Strength 6: Brawn +d4, Intimidation +d4, Might +d4

Speed 10: Driving (Aerial) +d8, Initiative +d2, Targeting (Energy) +d6

Smarts 10: Alertness +d4, Science +d8, Technology +d8

Social 9: Animal Handling +d6, Persuasion (Truth) +d10

Gaining Jetfire As A Contact

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

Scientific Camaraderie: Jetfire tends to hang out with other Scientists. If a PC has the Scientist Role, and succeeds on a DIF 15 Science Skill Test, they gain Jetfire as a temporary Contact they can summon once.

Scientific Debate: Jetfire is always appreciative for scientific debate and hypothesis. If the PCs spend their downtime engaging Jetfire in scientific debate and/or assisting him with a hypothesis or experiment, succeeding on three DIF 18 Persuasion, Science, or Technology Skill Tests, they gain Jetfire as a permanent Contact.

Allegiance Points: 3

Contact Perks

Cybertech Enhancement (3 Allegiance points): During the Requisition Phase of a mission, Jetfire helps the PCs each acquire a single Restricted Armor Upgrade without having to expend any Requisition uses.

Scientific Pursuit (1 Allegiance Point): Jetfire applies scientific theory to any situation. A PC may substitute the Science skill for any single Skill Test until the end of the turn.

Strafing Run (2 Allegiance Points): Jetfire bombards the battlefield with photon missiles. Up to three Threats in the Combat scene suffer 1 Sharp Damage each.

Contact Hang-Up

Mechanical Failure: Due to his constant cyber-modification of his own body, Jetfire is prone to mechanical failures. Each time the PCs request the benefit of Jetfire’s Contact Perks, they must succeed on a DIF 10 Technology Skill Test. On a failure, nothing happens but the Allegiance Points are still spent.

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'Till All Are One!