The Energon Pub

I have been seeing a lot of discussions of homemade Transformers role playing games lately. I think it would be cool if those of us who have developed our own versions would discuss what systems we like, how the game plays, and what cool new touches each of us have added to our own versions. It would be sweet if we could compile the best parts of each game into one that we could share and possibly use in an online forum (or chat) rpg! I will start us off....

System:d20
I have developed a way to determine a new character's Abilities based on their Size and Age. STR, DEX, CON x Size & INT, WIS, CHA x Age.

While I personally have my doubts that D20 is the best system for TF, I have to support a fellow tabletopper.

I'd like to hear more of your idea.

Ya know, I've found it insane that Hasbro hasn't tossed out a TF RPG yet. I mean, they've got control of Wizards of the Coast, and they had them put out a collectable miniatures game, so why not an official TF RPG? Wouldn't be that hard, they could pretty much co-opt rules from D20 Modern / Future to cover most of their rules. For that matter, I'd kill for a D20 Modern G.I. Joe supplement/rulebook...

But, yeah, I agree with Tasbirk! While not fond of d20 ( I'd almost see either World of Darkness or Classic Marvel's rule systems to be more TF-like than d20 ), I'll support a fellow tabletopper anyday. Tell us more!

i saw this discussion on here a looong time ago, and i reccomended using GURPS, as its incredibly adaptable into ANY setting, and pretty much anything you want your character to be able to do can be worked into a modified version of one of the pre-existing skills, traits, advantages, disadvantages, just use a bit of re-writing and re-naming.

the best example:there are rules for 'transformable' characters: the way they describe it is more akin to 'incredible hulk' or 'Jekyll and Hyde" and its called "split personality;" where you use some character points to create an ability that changes you from using one character sheet to using another (each sheet with its own stats, skills, abilities, perks, etc., the only shared ability being a "transform" ability which is common on both sheets, and allows you to switch from using one to the other.
)
GURPS also has an additional excellent sourcebook for vehicles... I don't have it, personally, but we've used it in the past, just not 100% remembering off the top of my head the vehicle rules, but maybe you can modify those rules into your 'alt mode' character sheet. (naturally, however, you won't have to put 'driving ability' as a skill on the bot mode sheet.)

one more recommendation: there's a "GURPS Anime Mecha" sourcebook that might have what you're looking for, too.

I'm from Houston too! Well, I have been playing rpg's for 20 years, so I have tried out a lot of rules systems! And honestly I prefer the d20 system because it just makes the most sense. It plays fast, it duplicates special abilities and powers really well, there are beaucoup books to be found for just about any setting, it is easy to learn to play, yet it simulates the excitement and fun of a movie or video game. I guess it is the minimalist factor, not much gets in the way of having fun. A lot of companies cram needless complication into their systems, which slows the game down to what seems like a bunch of physicists trying to calculate formulae, and don't even get me started on White Wolf's hokey rules. And I will share more of my game ideas, but we need other peoples' ideas too. I know you guys are out there. Share, share, share.

Without it getting into a discussion of who's system is better, I suggested something other than d20 simply because I feel Transformers could use a more 'cinematic' style system. Not that you can't do a cinematic action oriented game in d20, but my experience has been that it's either more difficult or the system tends to bog down under the weight of it's own rules. To each their own, however. It's a better suggestion than using the Champions rules which is kicking around the 'net.

d20 offers a bunch of ways to deal with Transformers, though! You could go the d20 Mecha Compendium route, which I believe varies in complication. Good for ideas on weapons and such, though. One might also take a look at how Iron Kingdoms handles their Steamjacks. Plus, I'm pretty sure there's at least two more OGL anime oriented source books for d20 out there, one of which I'm nearly positive has a transforming sentient mecha in it. The name escapes me at the moment, but it's pretty much the closest I've seen to a Transformer in d20.

The problem with most of those is that they tend to use a vehicle system. The robot's less a character, and more like 'smart' equipment. One could nab the droids rules from Star Wars, though, and tweak the bejesus out of them...

There's a website out there for some guy who's trying to collect all the rpg systems he can that can be used for Transformers.
I have an idea or two for recommends, myself...
-Big Eyes, Small Mouth d20, preferably with the d20 mecha book
-Big Eyes, Small Mouth Tri-stat, 3rd edition
-Mekton Zeta (along with Mekton Zeta Plus, and the Tactical Screen)
-Mechamorphosis d20 (it's practically Transformers:the RPG, just un-official)
-Cartoon Action Hour (and their TF-based sourcebook, Metal Wars)

I quite like the Marvel RPG rule system (the more recent one). It's versatile regarding character creation (just start out with points and spend them), and has a very cinematic style of play. You also don't need dice - there are no 'random' factors, just ones the player doesn't know about. If it's at all possible for a character to perform an action, they can do it as long as they overcome any obstacles and put in the effort (and of course, a bit of roleplaying doesn't hurt, espcially when it nets you a sitmod!).

Tabletop-wise (because they're two pretty different game genres), I'm trying to devise a generic game system myself. I've taken inspiration from existing TT games, but in the vein of GURPS, I want to be able to tailor it to any genre or scale, letting the player modify the game to suit his own purposes, unlike most (GW games, for instance), which basically give you the rules to suit the models they provide.
While I'm developing the game, I'm also creating a couple of 'expansion sets' alongside, mostly for the sake of playtesting and the like. One of those is based on Micromasters (which let's face it, are pretty much ready-made TT miniatures).

I don't know if a Transformers Tabeltop game would be the best idea, but I do love incorporating things I love into my Dungeons and Dragons campaign.

Yes, I have created the "Transforming" armor template.

Awesome. I have recently been collecting the Transformers 3D battlecard miniatures for use in my game. They are actually pretty close to scale with other minis, if not smaller. My first scenario is to replay key scenes from Transformers: the movie, and give the players a chance to change history, like stopping Megatron from killing Prime, stopping Unicron before he reaches Cybertron etc. Then I will start the actual campaign.

Ah this is just the thread I am looking for!

Personally, I am searching for a simple and easy d20 system that incorporates each individual toy's tech specs (the point system on the back of the box.

If anyone knows of such a system, please PM me or send me a link in the right direction.

Thanks much!

I would probably adapt the warhammer rules to it somehow.

smeagolsaur wrote:Ah this is just the thread I am looking for!

Personally, I am searching for a simple and easy d20 system that incorporates each individual toy's tech specs (the point system on the back of the box.

If anyone knows of such a system, please PM me or send me a link in the right direction.

Thanks much!

I don't know how easy it is, and it looks like you need extra books, but I just found this review of a D20 TF-style RPG.
http://tfarchive.com/toys/reviews/oth_m ... phosis.php

Ramrider wrote:

smeagolsaur wrote:Ah this is just the thread I am looking for!

Personally, I am searching for a simple and easy d20 system that incorporates each individual toy's tech specs (the point system on the back of the box.

If anyone knows of such a system, please PM me or send me a link in the right direction.

Thanks much!

I don't know how easy it is, and it looks like you need extra books, but I just found this review of a D20 TF-style RPG.
http://tfarchive.com/toys/reviews/oth_m ... phosis.php

Hey Buddy,

Thanks for your response.

I actually made my own game system over the weekend. Check it out in this thread:
http://seibertron.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13604&sid=

Core-1 wrote:There's a website out there for some guy who's trying to collect all the rpg systems he can that can be used for Transformers.
I have an idea or two for recommends, myself...
-Big Eyes, Small Mouth d20, preferably with the d20 mecha book
-Big Eyes, Small Mouth Tri-stat, 3rd edition
-Mekton Zeta (along with Mekton Zeta Plus, and the Tactical Screen)
-Mechamorphosis d20 (it's practically Transformers:the RPG, just un-official)
-Cartoon Action Hour (and their TF-based sourcebook, Metal Wars)

Mekton Zeta is the best game base for a Transformers game. In fact, a fan by the name of Mike Chase actually produced a fan TransFormers suppliment for Mekton. here is the link:
http://www.meta-earth.com/tf/tf.html. There area few things I would change, but over all, it's a good system. It's biggest fault is that it is based purely on the old cartoon and does not take any of the comics or more current continuities and the rest of TF lore into the equation.

Actually, if you are looking for a system that allows play similar to the original 1984 series, then you want Cartoon Action Hour! It has rules that incorporate the styles of cartoons back in the day, plot, character personalities, names etc. It's heroism at its finest. And there is even a supplement called Metal Wars about the war between the heroic Transbots and the evil Warbots.

However, I developed a d20 version because, I guess, it seems more "realistic".