Sharkticons!!! (Transformers Essence20 rpg Threats)

It's Shark Week come early!

For this article, we check out the ravenous Sharkticons and the many individual characters that have appeared in the TF Universe who identify as "Sharkticons."

When the Sharkticons were first introduced to the public, it was by the 1986 Transformers: The Movie where they served as the minions of the mysterious Quintessons. Much like the Seekers and Insecticons, the Sharkticons all looked alike -- basically making them "drones."

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

If you enjoy this content, please support my friend Owen and his fight with cancer. Please donate $1 or you might get eaten by a shark!

SHARKTICON

Sharkticons are generally big, dumb, plentiful and voracious — in short, perfect soldiers for the Quintessons, or whoever happens to be the one letting them off their leash at the given moment. Sometimes they're near-mindless army units for the tentacled aliens, other times they're full-fledged Decepticons, sometimes they're simply their own race carving out a niche for themselves in the cosmos. In general though, no matter the universe it's not unusual for the Quintessons to throw their captives into a big tank full of the feisty nippers after a mock trial just for chuckles. Though individual Sharkticons are not especially durable, like piranha, they swarm in en masse and can devour a full-sized robot in a few seconds with their razor-sharp teeth and claws.

On the colony planet of Aquatron, the Sharkticons served as the planet's warrior caste.

When the Quintessons arrived, most of the Sharkticons were re-conditioned by the invaders. In their new role, the Sharkticons served as elite honor guards for high-ranking Quintessons, while simultaneously intimidating any would-be Aquatronian rebels into submission.

Sharkticon Drone

Threat Level 2

Size: Large Health: 2

Movement: 30ft. Ground, 30 Aquatic (Bot-Mode); 20ft. Ground, 40ft. Aquatic (Alt-Mode)

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

Speed 2: Infiltration +d2, Initiative +d2

Smarts 1: Alertness +d2

Social 1: Animal Handling +d2

Toughness: 19 Evasion: 12

Willpower: 11 Cleverness: 11

PERKS

Mode Conversion: Cybertronians spend a Standard Action to convert between Bot Mode and Alt-Mode.

Strong in Schools: Sharkticons are fueled by the presence of other Sharkticons, gaining ↑1 on attacks against targets that have already been attacked by an allied Sharkticon in the same round.

ATTACKS

Flail (Might): +d4, Reach (1 Blunt damage and 1 Stun)

Alternate Effects: Intimidating, 2 Blunt Damage (two hands)

Hands: 1 or 2

Upgrades: Scary

Traits: Blunt, Integrated, Martial Arts, Silent

Sawtooth Bite (Might): +d4, Reach (1 Sharp damage)

Requirements: Alt Mode Only

Traits: Integrated, Silent

GEAR

Armor: Heavy plating (+3 plating to Toughness)

Weapon: Flail (close combat heavy bludgeon with scary upgrade)

HANGUPS

Confused When Alone: Sharkticons are social creatures, and don’t deal well with being alone. If a Sharkticon drone begins its turn without another Sharkticon within 20 feet, it suffers Snag on all Skill Tests.

Unique Sharkticons

Scattered across the galaxy are Sharkticons possessed of unique intelligence and individual personality. They have separated from the schools of Quintessa to become their own persons. Many of these individual Sharkticons work as mercenaries or have joined the Decepticon army as shock troops.

Sharkticon, Blitzwave

Blitzwave is a Sharkticon who packs a variety of weapons, including missile launchers and blasters on his wrists and jetpack. His primary reaction when meeting a new species is to wonder how they taste, in case you were wondering what ultimately happens to his foes.

Blitzwave

Threat Level 5

Size: Large Health: 5

Movement: 30ft. Ground, 30ft. Aerial, 30ft. Aquatic (Bot-Mode); 20ft. Ground, 40ft. Aquatic (Alt-Mode)

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

Speed 4: Driving +d4, Targeting +d4

Smarts 5: Alertness +d2, Science +d2, Survival (Tracking) +d4*

Social 1: Animal Handling +d2

Toughness: 18 (20 in alt-mode) Evasion: 14

Willpower: 15 Cleverness: 11

PERKS

Mode Conversion: Cybertronians spend a Standard Action to convert between Bot Mode and Alt-Mode.

Partnered (Razor-Fin): Blitzwave can always Lend Assistance using a Free Action to his partner, Razor-Fin, as long as they are within sight of each other.

ATTACKS

Blasters (Targeting): +d4, Range 25ft/80ft (1 Sharp damage)

Hands: 1

Traits: Ballistic, Mounted

Missile Launcher (Targeting): +d4, Range 100ft/200ft, min 30ft (1 Sharp damage Blast: 10ft radius, plus Trip)

Hands: 2

Traits: Anti-Tank, Indirect, Mounted, Reload, Sharp, Wrecker

Sawtooth Bite (Might): +d4, Reach (1 Sharp damage)

Requirements: Alt Mode Only

Traits: Integrated, Silent

GEAR

Armor: Plated carapace (+2 plating on Toughness, increased to +4 in alt-mode)

Weapons: Blaster x2, missile launcher (artillery lobber)

Other: Mining Jetpack (TF: One)

Sharkticon, Gnaw

"I live for the taste of an Autobot's fuel line!"

Though he originated as just another Sharkticon, Gnaw seems to be loyal only to the one who fed him last, be they Quintesson, Decepticon, or even Autobot. Much like his kin, he is insatiable in appetite and savage in combat. Gnaw's "masters" don't so much give him orders as they do unleash him like a caged tornado that promptly eats its way through the battlefield in a feeding frenzy.

And yet, Gnaw has on occasion shown glimpses of heart and devotion. He has been known to watch over the Autobot Wheelie and seems genuinely loyal to the youngster regardless of suppertime frequency. Gnaw tends to snap at the fingers of any other robot, however.

Gnaw

Threat Level 5

Size: Large Health: 5

Movement: 30ft. Ground, 30ft. Aquatic (Bot-Mode); 20ft. Ground, 40ft. Aquatic (Alt-Mode)

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

Speed 4: Infiltration +d2, Initiative +d2, Targeting +d4

Smarts 3: Alertness +d2, Survival +d4

Social 2: Animal Handling +d4

Toughness: 19 (21 in alt-mode) Evasion: 14

Willpower: 13 Cleverness: 12

PERKS

Fearless: Gnaw is immune to any kind of fear. This gives him Resistance to Psychic damage, and all attempts to target him with the Intimidation Skill automatically fail.

Mode Conversion: Cybertronians spend a Standard Action to convert between Bot Mode and Alt-Mode.

Partnered (Wheelie): Gnaw can always Lend Assistance using a Free Action to his partner, Wheelie, as long as they are within sight of each other.

ATTACKS

Flail (Might): +d4, Reach (1 Blunt damage and 1 Stun)

Alternate Effects: Intimidating, 2 Blunt Damage (two hands)

Hands: 1 or 2

Upgrades: Scary

Traits: Blunt, Integrated, Martial Arts, Silent

Maceration Laser (Targeting): +d4, Range 25ft/80ft (1 Acid and Laser damage)

Alternate Effects: Spot, Stun 1

Hands: 1

Requirements: Bot-Mode only

Upgrades: Laser Beam, Vitriolage Tank

Traits: Ballistic, Elemental (Acid, Laser)

Sawtooth Bite (Might): +d4, Reach (1 Sharp damage)

Requirements: Alt Mode Only

Traits: Integrated, Silent

POWERS

Feeding Frenzy (Free 1/scene): When in a group of sharkticons, and there is a wounded creature, Gnaw can enter a Feeding Frenzy. For the rest of the scene, they gain ↑1 on attack checks, suffer Snag for any other Skill Checks, and -2 from their Evasion Defense.

GEAR

Armor: Plated carapace (+2 plating on Toughness, increased to +4 in alt-mode)

Weapons: Flail (close combat heavy bludgeon with scary upgrade), maceration laser (blaster with laser beam and vitriolage tank upgrades)

HANGUPS

Always Hungry: Gnaw suffers from a constant and nagging need to refuel. If given the opportunity, they will occupy their free time with filling their tank with anything that might contain even the tiniest bit of Energon in it!

Sharkticon, Hammerstrike

Once Cybertron's most feared pirate, Hammerstrike the Sharkticon harbors a deep contempt for anything above the waves. Pretty much everything about dry land offends him, and being forced to even set foot on it is a grievous insult. He'll suffer it to further his plans, but he'll complain about having the stink of land-dweller on him the whole time.

Naturally, in the water (or any viscous liquid), he's an absolute terror. Incredibly fast and agile, he strikes his targets quick and hard in submarine mode. Despite his hatred of land-based combat, he's an effective fighter on his feet as well, especially if there's some kind of slippery fluid on the ground that lets him slide around while his opponents struggle for balance.

Hammerstrike

Threat Level 7

Size: Huge/Extended  Health: 8

Movement: 30ft. Ground, 30ft. Aquatic (Bot-Mode); 45ft. Aquatic (Alt-Mode)

Strength 7: Athletics (Swimming) +d4*, Brawn +d4, Might +d4

Speed 4: Acrobatics +d4, Initiative +d2, Targeting +d2

Smarts 7: Alertness +d4, Culture (Piracy) +d4*, Technology +d4

Social 3: Animal Handling +d2, Streetwise +d4

Toughness: 19 Evasion: 14

Willpower: 17 Cleverness: 13

PERKS

Favored Environment (Water): Hammerstrike is suited to operate in aquatic environments. While in his favored environment, Hammerstrike ignores all penalties for moving through rough terrain and gains an Edge on all non-combat Skill Tests. Additionally, all attacks made in Hammerstrike’s favored environment are considered Specialized.

Fluid Skater: Hammerstike is able to slide on all kinds of ground fluids, including water, oil, or slime,  without slipping. He ignores all liquid-based rough terrain penalties and gains an Edge on Acrobatics Skill Tests to maintain his balance.

Mode Conversion: Cybertronians spend a Standard Action to convert between Bot Mode and Alt-Mode. Hammerstrike assumes the alt-mode of a Neyk N6 combat submarine.

ATTACKS

Natural Weapons (Might): +d4, Reach (1 Sharp Damage)

Alternate Effect: Maneuver

Requirements: Bot-Mode Only

Traits: Integrated, Sharp

Ram (Athletics): +d4*, Reach (1 Blunt Damage)

Alternate Effects: Maneuver

Requirements: Alt-Mode Only

Traits: Blunt, Integrated, Silent

GEAR

Armor: Medium Armor Matrix (+2 deflection with Toughness)

HANGUPS

Mode Attachment: Hammerstrike dislikes having to walk on two legs “like a land lubber.” He prefers the comfort of the ocean and being in his alt-mode. When converting into his Bot-Mode, Hammerstrike must make a DIF 14 Technology Skill Test. If he fails, he can’t change forms that turn and the action is lost.

Sharkticon, Ragebyte

“Experimentation paused. New objective, dissection of Autobot.”

Ragebyte is a scientist who is also an arms dealer who was arrested for providing criminals with weapons. He isn't interested in very much outside of his experiments, and he'd really rather avoid any unanticipated variables affecting their outcome — such as, say, do-gooders insisting his tests of his latest explosive formula are somehow unethical. However, if any Autobots want to try to stop his pursuit of glorious SCIENCE, this Sharkticon is more than happy to invite them to the table — the dissection table.

He can also fire electricity from his mouth.

Ragebyte

Threat Level 7

Size: Huge/Extended  Health: 8

Movement: 30ft. Ground, 30ft. Aquatic (Bot-Mode); 45ft. Aquatic (Alt-Mode)

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

Speed 4: Infiltration +d4, Initiative +d4

Smarts 8: Alertness +d4, Science +d4, Technology (Explosives) +d6*

Social 3: Animal Handling +d2, Streetwise +d4

Toughness: 18 Evasion: 14

Willpower: 18 Cleverness: 13

PERKS

Materials at Hand: Ragebyte knows how to make the most out of whatever materials can be found nearby when he is putting his street-level science to the test. When Ragebyte requires materials for Science or Technology Skill Tests, he can find all the parts he needs to perform the task if he first succeeds at an Alertness or Streetwise Skill Test at a DIF set by the GM.

Mode Conversion: Cybertronians spend a Standard Action to convert between Bot Mode and Alt-Mode. Ragebyte assumes the alt-mode of a Neyk N6 combat submarine.

ATTACKS

Electrical Projector (Technology): +d6*, Range 75ft (1 Electrical damage)

Requirements: Bot Mode Only

Upgrades: Microtech x2

Traits: Computerized, Element (Electrical), Mounted

Frag Grenade (Athletics): +d4, Range 20ft/50ft (1 Sharp damage Blast: 10ft radius)

Hands: 1

Traits: Consumable, Wrecker

Natural Weapons (Might): +d4, Reach (1 Sharp Damage)

Alternate Effect: Maneuver

Requirements: Bot-Mode Only

Traits: Integrated, Sharp

Ram (Athletics): +d4, Reach (1 Blunt Damage)

Alternate Effects: Maneuver

Requirements: Alt-Mode Only

Traits: Blunt, Integrated, Silent

POWERS

Auxiliary Brain (Free, 1/turn): Ragebyte spends a lot of time deep in thought with himself. As a Free Action, he can Lend Assistance to himself.

Kitbash Upgrade (Standard): Ragebyte is a master of developing explosive weapons. Have Ragebyte make a Technology Skill Test against the availability DIF of the upgrade. On a success, the equipment gains the benefits of the upgrade for 1 minute, multiplied on a critical success.

GEAR

Armor: Medium armor matrix (+2 deflection with Toughness)

Weapons: Electrical projector (directed element rifle with microtech x2 upgrades), frag grenades x4

Other: Restricted Explosives Kit

Sharkticon, Razor-Fin

Razor-Fin is a Sharkticon. While not as considerably well-armed as his fellow Sharkticon Blitzwave, he has the ability to capture his prey by "swallowing" them with a teleportation portal inside his gaping maw.

Razor-Fin

Threat Level 5

Size: Large Health: 5

Movement: 30ft. Ground, 30ft. Aerial, 30ft. Aquatic (Bot-Mode); 20ft. Ground, 40ft. Aquatic (Alt-Mode)

Strength 8: Athletics +d4, Brawn +d4, Might (Bite) +d6*

Speed 2: Driving +d4

Smarts 5: Alertness +d2, Survival (Tracking) +d6*

Social 1: Animal Handling +d2

Toughness: 20 (22 in alt-mode) Evasion: 12

Willpower: 15 Cleverness: 11

PERKS

Mode Conversion: Cybertronians spend a Standard Action to convert between Bot Mode and Alt-Mode.

Partnered (Blitzwave): Razor-Fin can always Lend Assistance using a Free Action to his partner, Blitzwave, as long as they are within sight of each other.

ATTACKS

Sawtooth Bite (Might): +d6*, Reach (1 Sharp damage)

Alternate Effect: Grapple (↓1)

Requirements: Alt Mode Only

Traits: Integrated, Silent

Unarmed Combat (Might): +d, Reach (1 Stun)

Alternate Effects: 1 Blunt Damage (↓1), Maneuver (↓1)

Hands: 0

Traits: Blunt, Martial Arts, Silent

POWERS

Teleportation Portal (Free Action, 1/round): Razor-Fin contains a teleportation portal inside his mouth, making it appear as though he has consumed his prey whole in one bite. If Razor-Fin succeeds on Grappling a creature of size Common or smaller  with their bite attack, they can use the teleportation portal as a Free Action to transport the Grappled creature to a pre-assigned location where they are immediately Restrained by a pair of Stasis Cuff (see Decepticon Directive, page 77).

GEAR

Armor: Plated carapace (+2 plating on Toughness, increased to +4 in alt-mode)

Other: Mining Jetpack (TF: One)

Sharkticon, Sky-Byte

“I’ll tear my enemies to shreds.”

Sky-Byte wasn't given the ominous function of "Harbinger of Doom" for nothing. Part ferocious fighter, part freaky metal shark-jet with lasers, Sky-Byte is Megatron's first choice for missions that border on the impossible. He's fast, tough, and bursting at the seams with enough firepower to handle any situation. No matter where you are, if Sky-Byte is on your tail, there's no safe place to hide.

He has an intense rivalry with the Autobot Air Guardian Jetfire, who had once been thought destroyed in battle by Sky-Byte.

Sky-Byte

Threat Level 13

Size: Huge/Extended  Health: 14

Movement: 30ft. Ground, 30ft. Aerial, 30ft. Aquatic (Bot-Mode); 60ft. Aerial, 45ft. Aquatic (Alt-Mode)

Strength 8: Brawn +d4, Intimidation +6, Might +d6

Speed 8: Driving (Aerial) +d6*, Initiative +d2, Targeting +d6

Smarts 10: Alertness +d6, Culture +6, Survival +d4, Technology +d4

Social 7: Animal Handling +d2, Performance (Poetry) +d6*, Streetwise +d4

Toughness: 21 Evasion: 18

Willpower: 20 Cleverness: 17

PERKS

Aerial Superiority: When Sky-Byte attacks from higher ground, he gains an Edge as well as ↑1 on attacks.

Mode Conversion: Cybertronians spend a Standard Action to convert between Bot Mode and Alt-Mode.

ATTACKS

Dual Laser Blaster (Targeting): +d6, Range 25ft/80ft (2 Laser damage)

Alternate Effect: Spot

Upgrades: Deadly, Laser Beam

Traits: Ballistic, Elemental (Lader), Mounted

Heavy Auger (Might): +d6, Reach x2 (2 Sharp Damage ↓1)

Hands: 1

Upgrades: Microtech x1

Traits: Anti-Tank, Reload, Tool, Wrecker

Sawtooth Bite (Might): +d6, Reach (2 Sharp damage)

Requirements: Alt Mode Only

Traits: Integrated, Silent

POWERS

Earlier Is Better Than Later (Free Action, alt  mode  only): Sky-Byte is always the first to get into a fight. While in Alt-Mode, Free Actions used for additional Movement add 10 feet to his Movement instead of 5. Additionally, exchanging Free Actions for additional Movement is not restricted.

GEAR

Armor: Heavy armor matrix (+3 deflection to Toughness)

Weapons: Dual-laser blaster (blaster with Deadly and Laser Beam Upgrades), heavy auger

HANGUPS

Nemesis (Jetfire): Sky-Byte has a long and ugly history with the Autobot Jetfire. If he is involved in a scene with Jetfire (or someone openly working on Jetfire’s behalf), Sky-Byte suffers ↓1 on all Skill Tests that are not targeting that individual to somehow hinder or harm them.

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Till All Are One!