The Energon Pub

so i've looked over a lot of things on the web about tf tech specs. No one agree's what skill represents. Accuracy? Dodging? familiarity with tech? what is your 2 cents?

Since the robots are mostly talked about in contexts of war, I would say this probably represents skill in battle.

Skills in combat, and use in fanfiction.

I agree. I always saw the stats as showing each character's advantages and disadvantages in battle

I would say combat, but also their indvidual *skill* in their specialty, such as Ratchet as the Doc, Ironhide as Weapons/Veteran, Prime/Megs leadership, Perceptor as science/geek, Blurr as skill at being misunderstood, etc etc

I'm shocked so many are saying it repersents combat or battle prowess/ability.

I'm also pretty supprised that theres much of a debate about it.

I thought it was pretty clear, if you read the bios, that the stat of skill is directly linked to their function.

If you read the bio of, lets say Steeljaw, you'll see how his function is tracker his bio gos on to speak of just how proficient a tracker and hunter he is and if you look at his skill rang its a 9.

On the other side of the spectrum lets look at Misfire whos function is as an INTERCEPTOR.The job of an INTERCEPTOR is to be a fast maneuverable fighter capable of intercepting and engaging the enemy in a firefight and other battle types.

Misfires bio gos on to say he is inept,incompetent and incapable of hitting an intended target and his skill stat is listed as a 2.

I think that clearly points to the fact that the SKILL STAT is a repersentation of how good they are at their listed FUNCTION.

Heres an onther example.

The Inceticon Chopshop.

Function listed as a Thief, bio says he's a great thief allways looking for a great challenge in steeling.
Skill stat listed as a 10.

No offense Sto, while you're right (as usual ), I unfortunately don't have tech specs to look at right now, nor the time to read through the them all and without that, I can't really make the link between skill and function.

I must bow down though, your knowledge of the TF universe is amazing, if I had half the knowledge you had, my head would of exploded a long time ago.

Bloodlust wrote:No offense Sto, while you're right (as usual ), I unfortunately don't have tech specs to look at right now, nor the time to read through the them all and without that, I can't really make the link between skill and function.

I must bow down though, your knowledge of the TF universe is amazing, if I had half the knowledge you had, my head would of exploded a long time ago.

Having time to read may be the only positive to being sick most of my life

But thank you for the comments.

BTW if you want to look them up heres a site with tech spec info...
http://www.ntfa.net/ntfa/techspecs/index.php?cat=Gen1

And you can look up the TF universe extended bios here...
http://www.seibertron.com/comics/universe/index.php

Skill = ability to kick ass in battle sounds better. I'm sticking with that.

Rodimus Prime wrote:Skill = ability to kick ass in battle sounds better. I'm sticking with that.

It may sound better to you but there really isint any evidence [of any kind] to support the idea.

And there is some evidence to suggest the ides that "Skill = ability to kick ass in battle " is wrong.

I think everyone is overlooking the most important skills...

Nunchuku skills
Bow hunting skills
Computer hacking skills

That's skillage.

Convotron wrote:I think everyone is overlooking the most important skills...

Nunchuku skills
Bow hunting skills
Computer hacking skills

That's skillage.

I think Sto_vo_kor hit the nail on the head. I'm looking at the stats for RotF Swerve and his bio says he is a metallurgist and fabricator. It also says he can't drive in a straight line and the other Autobots prefer to keep him out of battle cause he aims as well as he drives. It sounds like he's pretty bad in combat, but his skill stat is 9. So he must be a pretty good metallurgist and fabricator.

Well i like the answer Sto gave, and other than the occasional oddball poping up (theres bound to be a few) and screwin up the system it makes alot of sence

Evil_the_Nub wrote:I think Sto_vo_kor hit the nail on the head. I'm looking at the stats for RotF Swerve and his bio says he is a metallurgist and fabricator. It also says he can't drive in a straight line and the other Autobots prefer to keep him out of battle cause he aims as well as he drives. It sounds like he's pretty bad in combat, but his skill stat is 9. So he must be a pretty good metallurgist and fabricator.

Well I was focussing on G1.........but its good to know they are still useing the same formula with the new figures.

Thanks for the info.

Name_Violation wrote:Well i like the answer Sto gave, and other than the occasional oddball poping up (theres bound to be a few) and screwin up the system it makes alot of sence

Thanks

sto_vo_kor_2000 wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Skill = ability to kick ass in battle sounds better. I'm sticking with that.

It may sound better to you but there really isint any evidence [of any kind] to support the idea.

I don't care. I don't take everything so literally like you do. I like having fun.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

sto_vo_kor_2000 wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Skill = ability to kick ass in battle sounds better. I'm sticking with that.

It may sound better to you but there really isint any evidence [of any kind] to support the idea.

I don't care. I don't take everything so literally like you do. I like having fun.

I dont care that you dont care.

I like having fun as well, but the question in this topic wasnt about having fun, it was about what the stat of skill represents..

And in that theres really only one logical conclusion.

How good they are at the best thing they do.

Most of the time, that's going to be their Tech Spec function, or something very close to it.

However, the function does not tell the whole story. It's an indication of the role they fulfil in their faction (or, for neutrals, what they do most of the time - job, hobby etc). While the role requires certain skillsets, the two are not the same thing.

Example: G1 Perceptor's Skill is 10. It applies to what he does best - analysis, experimentation, retaining and combining information, creating new materials and devices. His function is SCIENTIST - most likely because when you have someone with that skillset, they're worth more in a lab than as cannon fodder or a roadie. However, if Perceptor found himself temporarily taking on another role (leader, sniper), I believe his skill rating wouldn't change.

Possibly I'm seeing the skill rating as applying more to the inherent character than simply their military appraisal. G1 Thundercracker's Skill is 7 - I'd like to think that if he refused one day to continue fighting, his rating wouldn't change to 1 or 0 just because he wasn't a battlefield asset any more.

Geminii wrote:How good they are at the best thing they do.

Most of the time, that's going to be their Tech Spec function, or something very close to it.

However, the function does not tell the whole story. It's an indication of the role they fulfil in their faction (or, for neutrals, what they do most of the time - job, hobby etc). While the role requires certain skillsets, the two are not the same thing.

Example: G1 Perceptor's Skill is 10. It applies to what he does best - analysis, experimentation, retaining and combining information, creating new materials and devices. His function is SCIENTIST - most likely because when you have someone with that skillset, they're worth more in a lab than as cannon fodder or a roadie. However, if Perceptor found himself temporarily taking on another role (leader, sniper), I believe his skill rating wouldn't change.

I'm pretty sure it would unless he was also as good in his new role.

I could see Perceptor as being proficient in either of the roles you listed but lets say we put him in the role of a Spy or a Thief, DataCourier, Demolitions excreta........and I'm sure his skill ranking would be effected.

And there is evidence to support that idea.

Just look at the skill rankings of the next 2 characters when their roles changed.

Rodimus Prime [skill 10] changes back to Hot Rod [Skill 6]

And while I admit that might not be the best example because of the lose of the matrix the next example is far better....Grimlock.

Grimlock Function listed as Dinobot Commander had a skill rank of 10.

On the other hand.....

Pretender Grimlock Function listed Lieutenant Commander, thats LT.Commander of the entire Autobot Army not just a sub-group had a skill ranking of 9.And his extended MTMTE Bio stats that theres hope he will become as good at commanding large groups as he was a specialized unit.

Possibly I'm seeing the skill rating as applying more to the inherent character than simply their military appraisal. G1 Thundercracker's Skill is 7 - I'd like to think that if he refused one day to continue fighting, his rating wouldn't change to 1 or 0 just because he wasn't a battlefield asset any more.

Thundercracker is a bad example to use [no offence to you]

Because his listed function is so general.He is listed as a "WARRIOR" which really isint a special or specific function.It means hes a grunt fighter.

So we can assume his skill level will remain the same as long as he "CAN" fight wether he chooses to or not.

But change his function to leader or military strategist,espionage excreta........with out making any changes to the characters bio and I highly doubt his skill rank would remain the same.

Just playing devils advocate here, though I what Sto says makes sense to me. Perhaps there is no official answer because they elect to keep some what vague to give them the flexibility to mod the meaning when best suits their desired function?

We see this sort of play used to great effect in current day politics.

Classy

ClassyNX01 wrote:Just playing devils advocate here, though I what Sto says makes sense to me. Perhaps there is no official answer because they elect to keep some what vague to give them the flexibility to mod the meaning when best suits their desired function?

We see this sort of play used to great effect in current day politics.

Classy

That I can see.

Would that not be AWESOME if politicians came with tech specs for the entire country to see?

How cool would that be...

Bloodlust wrote:Would that not be AWESOME if politicians came with tech specs for the entire country to see?

How cool would that be...

indeed