Hot Rod Contact Build (Transformers Essence20 rpg)

The contact build for today is one of the more controversial characters of the setting, mainly for how he was used to replace one of the most beloved characters of the franchise. Today, we focus on the Autobot Cavalier: Hot Rod.

Introduced  in the 1986 film, Hot Rod was created to represent a more youthful character for the viewers to identify with as a focus character in the series. Through his adventures, he would eventually become more  mature and take on greater responsibility, ultimately resulting in his ascension as the newest Prime.

While some fans (myself personally) enjoyed this change to the story and leadership, citing an interesting difference between Optimus prime as a wartime Prime, whereas Rodimus served as the new peacetime prime at the end of the Cybertronian Wars, many fan rejected the change of leadership and hated Hot Rod simply for the fact that his actions lead to the demise of their favorite character (Optimus Prime). For this action alone, there was no forgiveness. Hot Rod was to blame and they would not accept Rodimus as the new leader. 

Despite the fact we all know that toy producers at Hasbro were to blame for Optimus' death.

Over time, as licenses changed, Hot Rod fell into disuse as a character, and he would be replaced with the character Hot Shot, who served as a fusion of the characters Hot Rod and Bumblebee; being a yellow, human-friendly Autobot who started in a position as a youthful, rebellious soldier only to later take on a leadership role following the demise of Optimus Prime.

After licenses for character and names had been restored, Hot Rod returned to prominence within the TF community with the IDW comics focusing on the adventures of the Last Light starship crew and the TF: Cyberverse cartoon series. 

For my own personal TF rpg campaign, Hot Rod is still the brash, youthful rebel. However his rebelliousness is tempered by the lengthy Cybertronian War. He was the last of the Autobots to gain their spark before the Allspark was cast from Cybertron, making him the youngest of the current generation. When the tyrant Decepticons started the Armada Accords, which dictated that all Mini-Cons -- a small species of Cybertronians native to the largest moon of Cybertron, and able to grant additional power to those whom they bonded -- were the property of the Decepticon Empire, Hot Rod rebelled against the authority to provide freedom to as many Mini-Cons as he could. He aided in their escape from Cybertron and their enslavement at the hands of the Decepticons.

One million years ago, the Mini-Con escape ship Exodus crash-landed upon Earth's Moon and prehistoric planet while the crew were still in stasis. They later play a part in the Cybertronian Wars leading to the return of Unicron during the turn of the 21st Century.

Meanwhile, seeing potential  within Hot Rod as a protector, Optimus Prime has placed the young Autobot under the tutilage of the elderly Kup, whose experience Prime hopes will shape Hot Rod into a more stable-thinking and less rash-acting individual.

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

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HOT ROD 

“My actions speak louder than words.”

Hot Rod (aka Rodimus and Hot Rodimus) is brash and headstrong, with an overwhelming self-confidence that borders on arrogance. Kup has assumed the role of mentor and advisor to the impetuous young Hot Rod, offering him wisdom and advice when he needs it (though Hot Rod rarely feels that he does, much to Kup's annoyance). Arcee also serves as a calming influence on Hot Rod, and tends to either worry about him when he is not around, or deride and tease him when he is. Their relationship is antagonistic, but friendly. Exactly how deep Hot Rod's feelings for Arcee might run is unknown.

In contrast, his Rodimus Prime persona — while still headstrong and stubborn — seems to suffer from a severe lack of confidence, often doubting his own decisions and expressing distress over his position as an Autobot leader. Of course, much of this comes from comparisons with his former commander Optimus Prime — and let's face it, shoes-to-be-filled just don't get much bigger than that.

One thing that both sides of this Autobot's identity have in common is their impatience — neither Hot Rod nor Rodimus Prime can stand to wait around when they could be doing something instead. He is also very self-reliant, rarely sending others to do anything when he could be doing it himself.

Influences

Cybertronian With Attitude (Rebellious), Spring Into Action: Hot Rod has always pushed back against authority. On Cybertron, he opposed the Mini-con Oppression imposed by the Armada Accords, helping over 400 thousand Mini-cons escape on the starship Exodus which eventually crashed on Earth’s moon and surface 1 million years ago. The Mini-cons named him “Rodimus” (translated to “protector”), which he shortened to Hot Rod.

Origin

Champion: Hot Rod assumes the alt-mode of the Dome Zero

Role and Focus

Scout (Outrider): Hot Rod is all about getting things done; he’s loath to sit around and make plans when he can be acting.

Essence Scores and Skills

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

Speed 6: Driving +d4, Initiative +d4, Targeting +d4

Smarts 5: Alertness +d6, Technology +d4

Social 5: Deception +d4, Persuasion +d6

Gaining Hot Rod As A Contact

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

Inexperienced Cavalier: Hot Rod encourages others to try things out, even when they don’t think they can do it. If the PCs succeed on three Skill Tests using Unskilled rolls, while in the presence of Hot Rod, they gain this Autobot as a permanent Contact.

Allegiance Points: 3

Contact Perks

Demolition Derby (2 Allegiance Point): Hod Rod runs down anyone blocking his path. A PC gains an Edge on their next Driving Skill Test when making a Ram attack. If the Ram hits an enemy, it deals an additional 1 Blunt Damage and knocks them Prone.

Photon Charges For Everyone! (1 Allegiance Point): Hot Rod opens fire on the enemy at first sight of a Decepticon insignia. One Threat suffers 2 Laser Damage.

Turbo-Revvin’ Young Punk (3 Allegiance Points): Hot Rod is too ambitious to know he should be able to do certain things. All PCs do not suffer a Snag when making a Skill Test with an Unskilled roll until the end of the scene.

RODIMUS PRIME

“Experience is the benchmark of maturity.”

Rodimus Prime is the mature, transformed persona of Hot Rod. This transformation and simultaneous assumption of the Autobot leadership occurred in a major battle between the Autobots and Decepticons. It is as Rodimus Prime that Hot Rod defeated Unicron and restored order to the galaxy. Rodimus Prime speaks with the savvy of a seasoned veteran. He can be hot-heated at times -- he has a tendency to act first and ask questions later. Rodimus Prime's sole purpose is to protect all life.

Influences

Morale Booster, Spring Into Action: Hot Rod’s hot-headedness still affects Rodimus Prime’s actions.

Origin

Pillar: Rodimus Prime assumes the alt-mode of a  GMC Bison.

Role and Focus

Field Commander (Team Leader): Rodimus takes the lead in any call to action.

Essence Scores and Skills

Strength 10: Brawn +d8, Intimidation +d6, Might +d6

Speed 9: Driving +d6, Initiative +d6, Targeting +d6

Smarts 10: Alertness +d6, Culture (Cybertron) +d6, Technology +d6

Social 10: Deception +d4, Performance +d4, Persuasion (Leadership) +d6, Streetwise +d4

Gaining Rodimus Prime As A Contact

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

Expert Advice: Unlike Rodimus, who railed against authority, Rodimus is more than willing to accept good advice from his allies. If a PC uses the Aid Other Action to help Rodimus succeed on a Skill Test, they gain Rodimus Prime as a temporary Contact.

Protector: Rodimus functions to protect others above all other considerations. During an action scene, if the PCs specifically take actions to protect or rescue others from harm, instead of attacking an enemy, they gain Rodimus Prime as a permanent Contact.

Allegiance Points: 6

Contact Perks

“Autobots, On My Mark…” (3 Allegiance Points): Rodimus Prime gives an order. On their next turn, any PC who uses their Action to perform the order gains an Edge to the associated Skill Test and a +2 to their Defenses until the beginning of their next turn.

Battlestation (3 Allegiance Points): Rodimus’ trailer converts into a battlestation. All PCs count as having Cover until the end of their turn. If they use an Action to swap out their weapons, the PCs may use this round to acquire a single Weapon Upgrade of up to Restricted Grade which they may use until the end of the scene.

‘Til All Are One! (3 Allegiance Points): Rodimus calls out the rallying cry of the Autobots, invigorating his allies. All PCs have one detrimental Condition removed from them and recover 1 Health if injured.

You Got the Touch!