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A few months ago I posted a system for making relatively fair fights among Transformer toys using dice and stats. That system was somewhat complicated, and the post was lost in the big wipe. Here is a revised system that is simpler and much more fair than saying "I shot you!" "No, I shot you!"

Each toy has six stats. AC (armor), ranged attack, ranged damage, melee attack, melee damage, and HP (hit points). They start at AC 10, +0 atk and 1 dam (ranged and melee), and 6 HP.

The tricky thing is assiging a level for the toy. Some suggestions are:
L.1-Nebulons (head/targetmaster partners)
L.2-mini-cons and micro masters
L.3-4: mini-bots and cassettes
L.5: gestalt limbs (strong basic)
L.6: most Autobot cars (deluxe)
L.8: G1 Decepticon jets (mega) and possibly Alternators
L.10: leaders like G1 Optimus and Megatron
L.12: gestalts (ultra), super-mode Optimus Prime
L.13-14: super-class (like Tidal Wave)
L.17-18: ultimate, like Fortress Maximus

Each level gives 6 character points for increasing power. Each caracter point is worth +1 AC or atk (melee and ranged separate), +2 damage (but see below*), or 6 HP. Thus, an average L.1 character can have 11 AC, +1 atk/1d6 dam ranged, +1 atk/1d6 dam melee, and 12 HP. A L.12 gestalt can have 22 AC, +12 atk/8d6+1 dam (rng and mle), and 78 HP.

Of course, you can assign the points any way you want to make a chacacter tougher, or better at shooting or punching to match the character's focus. Flying characters tend to have higher AC but lower HP because they are hard to hit but fragile (like a bird or jet). Some characters will have high ranged attacks but low melee attacks.

*Damage uses dice to make combat more interesting, as rolling dice is fun! I had been using a complicated D&D system with increasing dice size, but have recently decided to switch to the old Star Wars RPG d6 style for simplicity. In that system, one character point was worth 1, two were 2, but three = 1d6. (four = 1d6+1). This may sound complicated, but it eliminates the need for a table of damage levels. Simply divide the damage points (remember 1 character point = 2 damage points) by three, then have the remainder as bonus. For example, 17 damage = 5d6+2.

In summary, pick level based on size and power, start at AC 10, +0 atk, +1 dam, and 6 HP, and gain 6 character points (cp) per level. 1 cp = 1 AC or 1 atk or 2 damage points or 6 HP. Divide damage points by 3 for #d6 and have remainder as bonus. Roll d20 for attack!

Thus, roll 1d20 and add attack bonus to determine hit or miss (like many RPGs), and roll damage on d6s with bonus of +0,+1,or+2. Add or change rules to suit your needs, and have fun with quick battles among your toys!

how about an even MORE simplified version to play
at cons and stuff.

CLASSESS
6. supreme
5. leader
4. ultra
3. voyager
2. deluxe
1. scout

your class # = # of dice you roll.

It started with pseudo-RPG character system, so customizing characters for better attack or defense seems good. Of course you are free to make your own rules; this is just a free suggestion.

As for the sizes, I am using the Cybertronian Index which has eight possible sizes from G1 through RID. I am a bit uncertain about actual level-to-size conversion, as level includes character strength possibly.

Still, thank you for listing the new size classes. I think that they correspond to the older sizes as follows:

Supreme: supreme (only Fort. Max is bigger)
leader: super (like powermaster Optimus Prime and G1 Metroplex)
ultra: ultra (gestalts, $20 Beast Wars)
voyager: mega ($15 beasts, etc)
deluxe: deluxe
scout: basic (although they are more expensive now)

then we just need mini (mini-vehicles, cassettes) and micro (mini-cons, micromasters)

I know this system is still complex. Feel free to do whatever works for you.

Can you REALLY DUMB DOWN your explanation? I'd like a nice way to play with the toys (that isn't as childish as throwing one toy at another) and this seems to be adult enough. Except I've never played any board-based RPGs like I'm guess you might've.

So a really simple version of everything in the first post would be great

Damage has been revised so 2 points = 1d6.
4 points = 2d6, 9 points = 4.5 d6 (4d6+1d3)
HP now gains 5 points per character point.

In short, start at 10 AC, 5 HP, +0 attack, and 1d3 damage (ranged and melee separate). This is equivalent to a human with basic equipment.

Gain 6 points per level to add to anything, with 1 point worth 1 AC or 1 attack or 5 HP and 2 points worth 1d6 damage (odd point worth 1d3).

For example, a L.5 character has 30 points. Assigning them 6,5,3,3,6,7 gives AC 16, HP 30 (counting free 5), ranged attack +3, rng damage 2d6 (3+1free point =4, 4/2=2d6), melee atk +6, mle dam 4d6 (8pt total). Average stats of 5,5,5,5,5,5 gives AC 15, HP 30, rng +5, 3d6 dam, mle +5, 3d6 dam, so this character gains +1 AC over average, is weaker at shooting, but stronger in melee.

For battling, roll a d20 to hit (tie hits) and roll dice for damage. 1d3 can be rolled from a d6 divided by 2, round up. Basically, you only roll for attack and damge, but characters may move during battle to fly, combine*, or close to melee.

*combine: make the larger form a few levels higher than the separate robots, usually takes a turn or at least movement to join.

This still takes time to make character stats, but is simpler than an RPG. You can fight with a dozen or more toys per side and finish battles in reasonable time. I like to fight over the energeon cubes I got from BBTS, but there can be any reason.

I recommend a spreadsheet for recording stats, or at least lined paper.

Here are some of mine as examples:

Tidal Wave (Armada): L.14, AC 24, Hp 80, rng +14, 8d6, mle +13, 7d6
Tidal Wave Carrier: L.8, AC 20, Hp 45, rng +10, 4d6, melee +8, 3d6
TW Destroyer: L.9, AC 20, Hp 45, rng +10, 6d6, mle +8, 4d6
TW Transport: L.7, AC 20, Hp 45, rng +6, 4d6, mle +6, 3d6

Ramjet (mini-con): L.2, AC 14, Hp 15, rng +3, 1d6+1d3, mle +1, 1d3, adds +1 AC and +1 atk rng when attached
Deepdive: L.2, AC 13, Hp 20, rng +2, 1d6+1d3, mle +1, 1d6, adds +1 AC and +1 dam rng (1 dam = 1d3 or increases 1d3 to 1d6)
Longarm: L.2, AC 13, Hp 20, rng +0, 1d3, mle +3, 2d6, adds +1 atk mle and +1 dam mle
Overcast: L.2, AC 14, Hp 15, rng +3, 2d6, mle +0, 1d3, adds +1 atk rng and +1 dam rng

Universe Constructicons (forgot new names)
Scrapper (micro): L.3, AC 14, Hp 20, rng +3, 1d6+1d3, mle +3, 2d6
Hook: L.3, AC 13, Hp 20, rng +4, 2d6+1d3, mle +2, 1d6+1d3
Scavenger: L.3, AC 13, Hp 25, rng +3, 2d6, mle +2, 2d6
Mixmaster: L.3, AC 14, Hp 20, rng +3, 2d6, mle +3, 1d6+1d3
Long Haul: L.3, AC 13, Hp 25, rng +2, 2d6, mle +3, 2d6
Bonecrusher: L.3, AC 14, Hp 25, rng +1, 1d6, mle +4, 2d6+1d3
Constructicon Jet: L.8, AC 21, Hp 40, rng +10, 5d6, mle +6, 3d6
Devastator (Universe): L.10, AC 21, Hp 60, rng +10, 5d6, mle +10, 5d6

Cassetticons
Ravage: L.4, AC 14, Hp 25, rng +4, 3d6, mle +4, 2d6
Buzzsaw: L.4, AC 15, Hp 20, rng +5, 2d6, mle +5, 2d6
Beastbox: L.4, AC 14, Hp 25, rng +3, 2d6, mle +5, 3d6
Squawktalk: L.4, AC 15, Hp 20, rng +5, 3d6, mle +3, 2d6
Squawkbox: L.6, AC 16, Hp 35, rng +6, 3d6+1d3, mle +6, 3d6+1d3

Optimus (Powermaster): L.8, AC 18, Hp 55, rng +8, 4d6, mle +8, 4d6
Optimus Base (PM): L.8, AC 20, Hp 45, rng +10, 5d6, mle +6, 3d6
Optimus Super (w/Hi-Q): L.12, AC 22, Hp 75, rng +14, 7d6, mle +12, 6d6
Hi-Q (engine): L.1, AC 12, Hp 10, rng +1, 1d6, mle +1, 1d3, adds +1 atk/dam rng & mle (to things that can equip PM engine)

Silverstreak (Alt): L.8, AC 20, Hp 45, rng +10, 5d6, mle +6, 3d6
Cliffjumper (classic): L.6, AC 16, Hp 40, rng +4, 3d6, mle +7, 4d6
Sureshot (w/Holepunch): L.6, AC 17, Hp 30, rng +9, 5d6, mle +5, 3d6
Holepunch (TargetM): L.1, AC 12, Hp 10, rng +2, 1d6, mle +0, 1d3, adds +2 atk/dam rng as weapon

Landmine (energon): L.7, AC 19, Hp 40, rng +7, 4d6, mle +7, 3d6
Landmine's tank: L.6, AC 18, Hp 35, rng +7, 3d6, mle +5, 3d6
Landmine combined: L.9, AC 20, Hp 55, rng +9, 5d6, mle +7, 5d6

Drift (Dirtboss): L.2, AC 13, Hp 20, rng +3, 1d6+1d3, mle +0, 1d6, adds +1 AC and +1 dam rng when equipped
Spin (Downshift): L.2, AC 13, Hp 15, rng +4, 1d6+1d3, mle +1, 1d3, adds +1 atk/dam rng
Indy (Mirage): L.2, AC 14, Hp 15, rng +3, 1d6+1d3, mle +1, 1d3, adds +1 AC and +1 atk mle
Skyboom Shield: no level, adds +6 AC as equipment

Maybe this isn't the right forum for this, or maybe people aren't interested in a Transformers game using the toys, but for the few people who have expressed interest, I am posting an easier version of the Transformers battle system.

Step 1 Pick a Transformer toy.

Step 2 Choose a level to give it points.

This is probably the most difficult step. I generally assign level by size, so larger Transformers are more powerful. Some suggestions:

L.1: Humanoids in battle armor (Headmasters, Targetmasters, etc)
L.2: Micromasters & Mini-Cons
L.3: Spychangers (and similar race cars), micro combiners (like Universe)
L.4: Cassetticons, Mini-Bots (G1, etc)
L.5-6: Scout-class TFs (Beast Wars basic, Energon Omnibots, gestalt limbs)
L.7-8; Deluxe-class Transformers, combiner leaders
L.9-10: Voyager-class (Mega by Beast Wars scale)
L.11-12: Ultra-class, most gestalts/combiners, Alternators/Binaltech
L.13-15: Leader-class (Super), like Tidal Wave, some combined Optimus forms
L.16+: city bots, Fortress Maximus, Primus, other very large TFs

2.b (optional) Add 1 or 2 levels for leaders and favorites. Subtract 1 or 2 levels for worn/broken TFs or ones missing weapons.

Step 3! Now that you have chosen a level for your Transformer, you can give it points for stats. Each TF has points equal to Level x6. (example: a level-5 Aerialbot limb has 30 points, 5x6=30)

Step 4 Assign points to each of six stats. Each Transformer has 6 stats: armor class (AC), hit points (HP), ranged attack bonus (rng atk), ranged damage (rng dam), melee attack bonus (mle atk), and melee damage (mle dam). Simply divide the TF's points among these stats. (example: If Classics Rodimus is L.8, it has 48 points. They can be assigned as follows: AC 9, HP 8, rng atk 9, rng dam 10, mle atk 6, mle dam 6).

Final Calculations AC equals points+10, HP equals points x5, attack equals points, damage equals 1d6 per 2 points, or 1d3 for 1pt. (1d3 is a d6 divided by 2, round up).
(example: Classics Rodimus from above has AC 19, HP 40, rng atk +9, rng dam 5d6, mle atk +6, mle dam 3d6).

Playing the Game All you need is a few dice. You will roll a d20 (20-sided die) to attack, adding your attack bonus and trying to get equal to or higher than your target's AC. (example: Rodimus shoots at Brawl, who has AC 18. Rodimus rolls 12 on the D20 and adds his bonus of 9 for a total of 21. This beats Brawl's AC of 18, so Rodimus hits Brawl).

Damage is rolled with d6 (standard six-sided dice), and you may roll several depending on how strong your Transformer is. (example: Rodimus shot Brawl, so he rolls 5d6 and totals the numbers on the five dice. If he rolls 6, 3, 2, 5, and 3, he deals 19 points of damage to Brawl). When a Transformer's hit points drop below zero, the TF goes into stasis lock and is out for the rest of the battle.

There are some special rules, like how quickly a character recovers from damage (days or hours), and whether alternate modes have different abilities. You may make your own rules for these things, and change them as needed. These rules are for making stats and for basic combat.

In summary, all you need to do to start battling is choose levels for some of your Transformer toys, assign points to their stats, and get some dice! I hope you enjoy this simplified battle system for waging (non-destructive) wars with your toys!