The Energon Pub

I don't see what the mods need to relax on, personally... making sure people are playing balanced characters, keeping to a coherent plot, playing their characters properly in-character, and with a basic level of spelling/grammar know-how is all a *good* thing, and not that hard to do for anyone with at least a little writing and/or RP experience (or willing to learn). I'm already playing in a few more loose/jokey RPs in other spots, and it's nice having someplace to potentially do some in-depth RP.

I think the main problem for new players is the slow pace and a limited number of characters at the moment, which will both change as time goes on.

Speaking of which, I was curious as to which characters might become available/useful once the "next phase" of the RP finally gets underway, as it might help for encouraging some of my elsewhere RPing pals to sign up (plus I wouldn't mind possibly picking up a second character, but I'm not sure any of the currently available ones would suit me).

Just so everyone knows, applications for fanmades are now being accepted. However, you must, MUST, read the the new rules posted for them here.

Thank you for reposting that fan made apps are indeed being accepted. I will read the rules CAREFULLY before starting an application process.

I do hope, however, that a fan-based RPG will not be dropped. I understand the MODS need some time to discuss, but I really do think this would be a great idea, if used correctly. As I stated before, if handled as a 'Minor League' it could be very successful to help the Primary RPG to train new folks and to get them used to the system.

I would like to state that I currently have no major problems with the current system (a little slow, but we're getting there!). It is nicer to do a RPG that is more in-Depth, I forget who wrote that earlier (please accept this as proper citation) If we want to get new blood, so to speak, a separate RPG for training purposes might work well.

Just some food for thought.

-Marlboro Man

I just quickly read over the Fan-Made rules, I think you all did an excellent job. It is very explanatory and the charts for speed and size will be very helpful to people. Heck, I didn't even notice any spelling errors!

I would like to make one suggestion however: If an applicant uses a weapon we have not heard of before, write a brief description of what that weapon does. In Heavy metal War, their is a Brawn Blaster. What the heck is a Brawn Blaster? Does on Brawn use it? Is there an Ultra Magnus blaster? Just so we can get an idea of what their weapon does and then respond correctly in our RPG replies.

Thanks for listening!

-The Marlboro Man

Anyway, Mods, I have a special request. Could I apply for Death's Head (Marvel UK), as a fan-made, start him as neutral, and then have him later pick a side? I would apply Fan-made rules to him.

JaAm wrote:Anyway, Mods, I have a special request. Could I apply for Death's Head (Marvel UK), as a fan-made, start him as neutral, and then have him later pick a side? I would apply Fan-made rules to him.

No, he doesn't fit in with the game we have established, and neutrals are not allowed.

Two quick things. One, can I apply for the Hound position even though there's another person applying, and Two, would it be possible to play as Blaster?

Gunjack wrote:Two quick things. One, can I apply for the Hound position even though there's another person applying, and Two, would it be possible to play as Blaster?

No one is currently playing Hound so he is available. Blaster can also be applied for although it might be a good idea to be pretty familiar with the game before applying for him.

Greetings gang. I have some good and bad news. The bad news is my father lost his battle with cancer on Jan 4. The good news is that having dealt with the fallout of his death I now have spare time on my hands again.

I would love start playing again; I just need to get caught up on the story so far. Should I reapply for the characters I had? I was considering making an application for Soundwave instead of either Ramjet or Windcharger, unless anyone else is looking to play him. It should give me a chance to play a smart Transformer since I didn't get much time with Jazz oh so long ago.

Anywho, I'm looking forward to getting some good posts on the go again.

Sorry to hear about your dad Optimist, but glad to see you back. Considering how slow things have been since you left anyone who can jump right in would be great at this stage.

I'm very sorry to hear about your father, Optimist. You have my condolences. Also, welcome back! The game's been moving along slowly so you haven't missed much.

I'm glad to hear you're back in the RP, though I'm sorry to hear about your dad. *gives sympathy*

Optimist, I'm very sorry to hear about your father. My condolences to you and your family.

I wanted to make a seperate post other than the one for Optimist, out of respect in the least....

Is it possible to lax the rules for fanmades a bit? I have a few points to make on this manner:

1. I mean, how relevant is height? I am on the tall side of 6 foot6, I of course want to play as a character that towers over everyone, it's natural. I understand you don't want to have a bunch of Trypticons, Omegas, and Menasors running a round, but is there really a difference between 30 feet and 35 feet? Look at the character I keep getting refused, Stryfe: a hearse. He is supposed to be the same size as say Jazz? Come on, a porsche could fit inside the cargo area of a hearse! I'm just looking for a little bit of structure or realism here.

2. 65 points for a fan-made character is to low. One of the ideas here is for people to enter with a well-balanced character. Unless you put every character's stats at around 5 or 6, there is nothing to special about a character. He is just a grunt and really has no specialty. I truely do feel that 70 would be a little better to create a well-rounded character. This will be especially evident if more and more people sign up and the canon characters are all taken. That will be awful for new players. It's like we're saying, 'thanks for signing up, but becasue all the canons are taken you character will never get much attention. Mainly becasue he is of no use. Like a thanks, but no thanks. Sin't that the point of an RPG? To control a canon in a significant way? Or to create your own and see them become a hero/anti-hero?

3. Give people a little more credit in their sample posts. I killed two random Autobots in mine and I heard about it, it won't be so easy to kill them in the RPG. Really? That's why I used two guys whose names are NOT in the TF universe anywhere.

4. Lighten up on the spelling errors too. No one is perfect, I know miss spell (yes, on purpose) plenty, mainly becasue a cigarette is nestled between my fingers while I write (like right now! Hence the Marlboro Man) So long as someone can decipher what the writer meant without scratching themselves this really shopuldn't be to big of a deal.

5. If we have moved along into another stage of the game, can I re-apply as Motor Master now?

Marlboro Man wrote:I wanted to make a seperate post other than the one for Optimist, out of respect in the least....

Is it possible to lax the rules for fanmades a bit? I have a few points to make on this manner:

1. I mean, how relevant is height? I am on the tall side of 6 foot6, I of course want to play as a character that towers over everyone, it's natural. I understand you don't want to have a bunch of Trypticons, Omegas, and Menasors running a round, but is there really a difference between 30 feet and 35 feet? Look at the character I keep getting refused, Stryfe: a hearse. He is supposed to be the same size as say Jazz? Come on, a porsche could fit inside the cargo area of a hearse! I'm just looking for a little bit of structure or realism here.

2. 65 points for a fan-made character is to low. One of the ideas here is for people to enter with a well-balanced character. Unless you put every character's stats at around 5 or 6, there is nothing to special about a character. He is just a grunt and really has no specialty. I truely do feel that 70 would be a little better to create a well-rounded character. This will be especially evident if more and more people sign up and the canon characters are all taken. That will be awful for new players. It's like we're saying, 'thanks for signing up, but becasue all the canons are taken you character will never get much attention. Mainly becasue he is of no use. Like a thanks, but no thanks. Sin't that the point of an RPG? To control a canon in a significant way? Or to create your own and see them become a hero/anti-hero?

3. Give people a little more credit in their sample posts. I killed two random Autobots in mine and I heard about it, it won't be so easy to kill them in the RPG. Really? That's why I used two guys whose names are NOT in the TF universe anywhere.

4. Lighten up on the spelling errors too. No one is perfect, I know miss spell (yes, on purpose) plenty, mainly becasue a cigarette is nestled between my fingers while I write (like right now! Hence the Marlboro Man) So long as someone can decipher what the writer meant without scratching themselves this really shopuldn't be to big of a deal.

5. If we have moved along into another stage of the game, can I re-apply as Motor Master now?

1. If you think height isn't that relative then why are you complaining about it? A height of 35' is equal to that of Megatron, Optimus Prime and the like. They are fairly large and imposing by Transformer standards. Your character doesn't merit a height equal to them.

A hearse is not quite as large as you think as another car, even a sports car, isn't going to fit inside of it.

If we wanted to go fully absolutely accurate and realistice to what the alternate mode sizes are then the Autobots would all average around in the 20' range, the seekers would be AT LEAST 50' tall each and Astrotrain would peak out well OVER 100' tall. In every G1 medium the Autobots and Decepticons have been shown to be about on average equal in height, with maybe the cons being a bit taller. That is reflected in the game.

Also, had you actually bothered to check you would notice a height of 30' still puts him taller than by far the majority of the Autobots with ground modes.

Ironhide 30'
Ratchet 27'
Smokescreen 26'
Trailbreaker 26'
Hot Rod 28'
Sunstreaker 28'
Sideswipe 28'
Brawn 15'
Windcharger 18'
Wheeljack 26'
Bumblebee 15'
Skids 20'

He would be tied for the tallest Autobot currently in the game.

2. The idea with fanmades is to specialize. You aren't going to create a character who is great at everything. You need to come up with a concept a work with it. There aren't going to be any rocket scientist fanmades with incredible strength, experts in martial arts and pinpoint accurate with their super mega cannon. Look at even the canon Transformers and you will most definitely find that the vast majority of them specialize in certain things, with the exception of the top leadership.

In the past the points allowed for fanmades has been set to different levels and everytime people have asked or demanded for them to be higher. We set it at 70, people want 75, we set it at 75 people want 80. The topic was discussed in detail and we decided on 65 with the other most contested number being 60. The limit is currently set at 65 and there are not plans to change it.

3. I don't want some new person to come along and read these sample posts and think that is how the game works. I also wanted to make sure you understood that as well. There hasn't been much player vs player combat and I want people to understand how its going to work. Also your character isn't powerful enough to so casually kill Autobots in the manner you wrote it and I wanted you to know that.

4. May I suggest that you put down your cigarette while you type? That seems like the easiest solution to me. If you are incapable of doing that then perhaps using a spell checker, available in nearly any word processor and even built into some we browsers, to correct your errors? We are particularly picky about profiles since they are permanently stored on the site and we want to establish good spelling in posts from the get go.

5. No.


I have been trying to work with you on your character. The problem has been your initial character concept didn't work with the game we have set up. He isn't going to be an expert at everything and I strongly, strongly discourage mysterious background and loner attitudes. You don't get to roleplay much if your character is like that. I will take a look at your latest application within the next day or two. If you followed my suggestions I think he will be a workable character and be approved.

Anyone else starting to wonder where all the Autobot players went?

I'm still here! I'm just waiting for Ironhide to brief the 'bots about what's going on.

Yep, same here. Looking forward to Skids being all like, "Wait, Area 51 is real?!" XD

I'm wondering about Seaspray, though... I think I've seen all of the other Autobots who have players show up in the Mess Hall by now.

Just want to double check the available Cannon list. As of Jan 6th the following were available:

Soundwave
Ram Jet
Jazz
Ratchet
Mirage
Octane.

Is this correct? They are all still available or have they been taken? What about Dirge? I have not seen a post from him or Thundercracker in quite some time. Thanks!

Also, will the change in direction open up any new canon characters that would be useful to the campaign?

I think Ratchet and Ramjet are now taken if I'm not mistaken. Armorwind has Ratchet and Clayjf has Ramjet. The others that say "available" can still be applied for I believe.

Just curious if it might be helpful (or even possible) to have profiles of the Cassetticons as a subsection of Soundwave's profile?

Also, I was thinking of just picking up Brawn again on the Autobot side. Should I repost my original application?

Optimist Prime wrote:Just curious if it might be helpful (or even possible) to have profiles of the Cassetticons as a subsection of Soundwave's profile?

Also, I was thinking of just picking up Brawn again on the Autobot side. Should I repost my original application?

I'll talk to Deva about the cassetticons for you. As far as Brawn is concerned you can just pick him back up. No need to re-post the app.

Okay Optimist,I discussed it with Deva and he and I agree that if you want to post profiles for the cassetticons that it would be fine, but they would need to be approved.

So, I'm ready to pop in at any point, but it seems like there's some serious stuff going on, so which works best? Hound arriving with Optimus, or just-so-happen to be on the planet?