Perceptor Contact Build (Transformers Essence20 rpg)

Today's Contact Build is for the Autobot head scientist: Perceptor!

Talk about a character built on tropes! Transformers uses EVERY scientist trope on Perceptor. He's absent-minded. He speaks in complicated, scientific words rather than normal speech terms. He's all about SCIENCE and the pursuit of SCIENCE and how SCIENCE can accomplish anything!

On the plus side, he is not a cold, logical scientist who pursues science without thought to ethics or morality (that's Shockwave!). He's also not the super-science gadgeteer making new stuff every episode to save the day (that's Wheeljack!).

In a fun expansion of the character, the IDW comic series had Perceptor take on a role of a deadly sniper -- making use of his superior vision and magnification abilities to aid his aim -- as the war proceeds into its later days. I can imagine how, after losing so many friends and allies in the battle of Autobot City, he would change his role from head scientist to a more of a military support focus.

If you enjoy this contact, please help support my friend Owen Stephens and his fight with cancer.

PERCEPTOR

“One’s ultimate truth lies in one’s molecular structure.”

Perceptor is a scientist, one of the most astute minds the whole of Cybertron can offer. He is perpetually seeking the continued quest for knowledge, and his discoveries have repeatedly proven invaluable. Though his specialties lie in metallurgy, molecular chemistry, electrical engineering, and additional sciences closely concomitant to Transformer physiology, his thirst for knowledge has made him kind of a scientific jack-of-all-trades.

One of Perceptor's most infamous mannerisms is the tendency in which he verbally communicates using scientific terminology. This has the unforeseen result of exasperating and occasionally frustrating his comrades. One might hypothesize that the jovial mechanoid is unaware that not everyone with whom he seeks to communicate shares his extensive vocabulary.

Engaging in physical melee is not his preferred activity. He is content to make his contributions to the Autobot cause in the manner in which he deems sufficient, but will engage in combat if the situation requires. Optimus Prime often relies on Perceptor's perspicacity, and considers him as inestimable as any of his officers.

Influences

Cybertronian Military (Scientist), Inventor: Perceptor is known for his unceasing scientific research and voluminous vocabulary.

Origin

Support: Perceptor assumes the alt-mode of an electron microscope. 

Role and Focus

Technician (Think Tank): This role and focus from the GIJoe rpg represents Perceptor as a scientist more so than any Transformers Scientist role.

Essence Scores and Skills

Strength 7: Athletics +d6, Brawn +d6, Might +d2

Speed 2: Targeting +d4

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

Social 7: Animal Handling +d4, Persuasion (Leadership) +d4, Streetwise +d4

Gaining Perceptor As A Contact

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

Research Assist: Perceptor values a fellow scientist and looks upon his test subjects with the eyes of a proud father. If the PCs spend a scene between missions helping Perceptor test his experiments, either by succeeding at a DIF 20 Science Skill Test or by gaining at least three alterations, they gain Perceptor as a permanent Contact.

Allegiance Points: 3

Contact Perks

Acute Vision (1 Allegiance Point): Perceptor’s microscope form allows him to perceive even the most minor of details. A PC gains an Edge on their next Alertness Skill Test.

Analyze Weaknesses (3 Allegiance Points): Perceptor focus his attention on a single foe and studies their chassis for weaknesses. Select one Threat in the combat scene. The PCs know all the target’s Hang-Ups and their attacks ignore any Resistances that target might possess until the end of the scene.

Scientific Method (2 Allegiance Points): Perceptor knows how to apply his knowledge of science in any situation. A PC may use their Science Skill in place of any single Skill Test until the end of the scene.

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Till All Are One!