Soundwave Contact Build (Transformers Essence20 rpg)

In this article, we focus on what could potentially be most Transformers fans' favorite character...or at least their favorite Decepticon: Soundwave!

Why is he the favorite? Is it because he comes with more tiny robots inside him? Maybe. Is it because he becomes a walkman? Potentially. 

Personally though, I think it's because of his voice. Soundwave had that wicked cool synthesizer voice that really set him apart from all the other characters. And really... he just LOOKS cool!

Although listed as the Decepticon's  "Communications Officer," Soundwave is actually in charge of their Intelligence Division. And all his little Recodicon Mini-bots are his spies and agents. Buzzsaw is his spy. Frenzy and Rumble are his enforcers. Laserbeak is his interrogator. Ravage is his saboteur.

And this does not even touch on MANY of the other Recordicons that show up later down the line...

Beastbox is an interrogator,

Flipsides is a double agent hidden in the Autobot ranks,

Garboil specializes in information control and propaganda,

Howlback is an enforcer,

Overkill is a warrior, often tasked with the protect of Slugfest as he delivers confidential messages,

Ratbat is a scout specializing in fuel and energy acquisition,

Slugfest is a messenger courier,

Squawktalk is a translator,

Sundor is a spy,

Suffice it to say, Soundwave comes with his own army. On average, Soundwave usually carries up to four Recordicons at any given time (The dude only has so much storage space in his chest!). This allows the rest of the minibots to be off doing their important jobs while Soundwave is busy helping his master Megatron with his latest plans.

And that's another thing: Soundwave is a Decepticon through and through. He is 100% loyal to Megatron and his cause. This is LESS the case once Megs is converted into Galvatron by the dark god Unicron... But he gets better!

If you enjoy this content, please help support my friend Owen with his medical bills.

SOUNDWAVE

“Cries and screams are music to my ears.”

Soundwave is one of Megatron's most reliable troops, and he has positioned himself comfortably and irreplaceably in the Decepticon upper command structure. Though "only" Communications Officer, Soundwave stands at Megatron's side as a confidant, comparable in rank to Starscream and Shockwave, but unlike them, entirely loyal to his leader. Though stoic and possessed of little outward personality (as evidenced by his monotone computer-style speech), Soundwave is not without drives: he has worked hard to get where he is, and he guards his place in the Decepticon hierarchy fiercely. On top of hearing all in his role as Communications Officer and Decepticon spy-master, he is actually capable of "reading minds" by scanning and decoding the electrical impulses that carry "thoughts" in both organics and Cybertronians, and he will not hesitate to use what he learns as blackmail to keep himself high in Megatron's esteem. As such, Soundwave is not popular among the rank-and-file Decepticons, who see him as a two-faced snake and wouldn't mind abandoning him on the battlefield—if they thought Megatron would let them get away with it.

Soundwave commands an ever-growing legion of cassette troops to carry out tasks big and small. Stored within his signature chest compartment and called forth on Soundwave's whim with a push of a button, these miniature menaces are most commonly employed as spies for either the Decepticon cause or Soundwave's personal objectives, but are just as effective as warriors, and are entirely devoted to their master.

Influences

Cybertronian Military (Intelligence), Fanatic: Soundwave is the utterly loyal comms officer and right-hand-bot of Megatron.

Origin

Support: To better help his ability to gather intelligence, Soundwave assumes the forms of mundane objects. When he chooses to be more mobile, he adopts the alt-mode of a satellite communications van.

Role and Focus

Modemaster (Minion Master): Soundwave is known to collect and deploy numerous Mini-Con allies in battle.

Essence Scores and Skills

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

Speed 4: Infiltration +d4, Targeting +d4

Smarts 9: Alertness (Auditory) +d10, Technology +d6

Social 8: Animal Handling +d6, Performance +d6, Streetwise +d4

Gaining Soundwave As A Contact

Deceptions, Rise!: If this Contact is on scene, the PCs can summon them for 1 round.

All Glory to Megatron: Soundwave is utterly loyal and dedicated to his master Megatron. If a PC has Megatron as a Contact, and succeeds on a DIF 10 Persuasion Skill Test, they gain Soundwave as a temporary Contact.

Good Intel: As the head of the Decepticon Army’s Communications, Soundwave is responsible for gathering the best intelligence. PC who spend their downtime working alongside Soundwave to gather intelligence, succeeding on three DIF 17 Alertness, Infiltration, and Streetwise Skill Tests, gain Soundwave as a permanent Contact.

Allegiance Points: 5

Contact Perks

Deploy Recordicon (3 Allegiance Points): Soundwave has a literal army of minicon allies stored within his chest. A PC gains the use of the Mini-Con Ally Perk until the end of the mission.

Mind Reading (2 Allegiance Points): By deciphering the electronic signals in the brains of robotic and organic beings, Soundwave can read the thoughts of others. A PC automatically succeeds on all Alertness (Insight) Skill Tests until the end of the scene.

Universal Translator (1 Allegiance Point): Soundwave can translate any language in the known galaxy. A PC can speak and understands every language until the end of the mission.

x

'Till All Are One!