The Transformers RPG might convert you into a believer

The Transformers RPG might convert you into a believer | RPG Review

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Жыл бұрын

▶️ Get Transformers RPG from Renegade Studios ▶️
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Transformers the RPG: amzn.to/453GqY9
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Пікірлер: 496

@MrStrikecentral Жыл бұрын

The reason the Essence20 system is virtually unchanged between these franchises is because they're designed to work together if you want. You can literally have a party with GIJoe running around with the Autobots, maybe even throw in a Power Ranger for the hell of it. Yes, this does mean that the rules sets are compatible with the My Little Pony RPG as well. So if you want to reenact the Death Battle of Starscream vs. Rainbow Dash...you can. But please don't.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Oh I think I will.

@alphabladelm2011 Жыл бұрын

Oh, I’d tune in for that 😂😂🤣🤣🤣

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@alphabladelm2011 time to start an actual play series on this channel!

@Torque2100 Жыл бұрын

Finally, my childhood roleplay with my GI Joe and Transformers toys can be formalized into TTRPG rules!

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@Torque2100 that’s right!

@samfirth1592 Жыл бұрын

They did a Transformers/Star Wars cross over range of toys, it could be really fun to use these rules for a campaign based around that concept.....

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Ah, I hadn’t thought about that. Totally. Really any of the unusual toys could open up unique play possibilities.

@evrypixelcounts Жыл бұрын

I used to have some of those, thought they were so cool back then, too bad they were lost to time

@rcschmidt668 Жыл бұрын

Shame they could not license such a crossover today.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@rcschmidt668 Yeah I could never see that happening now.

@GamerOC Жыл бұрын

they did back to the future and ghostbusters crossovers like a couple years ago

@kamenridertheblueknight5313 Жыл бұрын

16:28 I think it’s because it’ll let the GM chose which version of the character they like the most instead of just trying to force them to only use one version, like take Blitzwing for example, it’s true that G1 had a unique story about him, but let’s say someone loved the animated version of him more, this let’s them do it

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Yeah that’s a good point.

@kamenridertheblueknight5313 Жыл бұрын

@@DaveThaumavore I mean just imagine role playing as animated blitzwing, it’ll be so funny haha!

@partyrock4144 Жыл бұрын

@@kamenridertheblueknight5313 Pretty sure that’s why he knows german

@kamenridertheblueknight5313 Жыл бұрын

@@partyrock4144 I didn’t even see that HAHAHA!

@Joseph_Drew_III Жыл бұрын

That works for the Decepticons, but Autobot versions should probably be decided by whoever’s playing as them. As an example, I would want to play as the version of Star Saber from Victory, and would chafe if an always-IDW GM forced me into knight templar decisions.

@Raziel312 Жыл бұрын

I actually liked the Bumblebee movie. It was Spielbergian in that a troubled youth befriends a fantastical being and has an adventure.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

I need to watch that one.

@aircraftcarrierwo-class Жыл бұрын

Admittedly Bumblebee wasn't directed by a hack, so it's already coming out a step above the Bay films. As for "Spielbergian"-- Spielberg was the producer! So the E.T. influence is pretty on point.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@firefly44220 Oh the humanity!

@aircraftcarrierwo-class Жыл бұрын

@@firefly44220 I mean, I don't blame anyone for writing off live-action Transformers films after Return of the Fallen.

@PG2994 Жыл бұрын

Yeah, at this point, Bumblebee may very well be a reboot of the movie series. Within the first three minutes, it tears apart the canon established by The Last Knight. Not to mention it's better than any of the Bay movies in terms of writing and characters. In fact, my only real problem is a particular scene on Saturn's moon. You'll understand when you watch. People, keep quiet about the scene. No spoilers in case he hasn't watched it at this point.

@mecaxs658 Жыл бұрын

I wish this book had some stuff for people that want to make a decpticon campaign. Otherwise the GM has to look at the decpticon enemies and figure out their autobot equivalent. Would be fun having Optimus with a hang up similar to Megatron’s villainous monologue, probably a heroic hopeful speech that can strengthen his allies, while also leaving him open to getting hit mid speech

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Yeah he talks a lot too!

@KrillerCrab Жыл бұрын

I believe the next book that's releasing will be Decepticon based! I saw it mentioned in the Renegade Discord server. No release date or details yet, but someday it'll be out

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@KrillerCrab well that will be cool. I’ll check that out for sure when it comes out.

@muigokublack6487 Жыл бұрын

@@KrillerCrab Well the next book is actually an adventure book called "The Time Is Now". Even so with just the core rulebook I can make a Decepticon character. Takes some tweaking yes but it can be done.

@KrillerCrab Жыл бұрын

@@muigokublack6487 I made this comment before The Time Is Now was announced lol, regardless a Decepticon sourcebook was mentioned in the discord. True you can tweak what's in the core rulebook to flip factions, but at some point we'll get an official Decepticon faction book.

@arrow1985 Жыл бұрын

So far, my only problem would be the lack of Autobot stat sheets. I completely understand why, since they're the good guys and you shouldn't fight them. My issue is just a lack of freedom to make your own story because of it, since you would have to homebrew most of them. I tried to do a Transformers campaign with a different system, and my players first chose to play Decepticons.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Yeah it would be a lot of work to write up a bunch of Autobot stats.

@talesfromaprofessionalnerd Жыл бұрын

@@DaveThaumavore ; Don't fret... we have a LOT of Autobots statblocked up as NPCs/Threats for an upcoming Decepticon sourcebook (like how we did a bunch of Decepticons in the CRB).

@joeyginise6051 Жыл бұрын

I assume such a thing makes it difficult to have a battle where Optimus is with the party.

@martl8615 5 ай бұрын

@@joeyginise6051no, he just does as the story demands, like any good NPC

@PlayerZeroStart Жыл бұрын

I think this is the first time I've heard the Unicron Trilogy be referred to as "beloved" lmao

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

To each their own I guess.

@Enkye_ART Жыл бұрын

8:20 Riptide would have something to say on that lmao When you’re a boat it sucks for the majority of the time, but when you NEED to be a boat you’ll thank the allspark that you were one.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

I guess with the size change ability you can just expand and have the rest of the party hop onboard, too!

@-hazardzone-7641 Жыл бұрын

I noticed at least Blitzwing has English and German, and he had a german accent in animated, and his tank is supposed to be German in origin, likely the bots have the languages to show a cultural inspiration. And Junkion is just another version of cybertronic, so those more of an exploratory/high ambitions may have other colony languages

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Yeah that’s as good a guess as any. Blitzwing turns into a Japanese tank and a Soviet jet though.

@nocturnalsblade8121 Жыл бұрын

Since the setting takes place on earth, the languages assigned to the Decepticons seems to give the gm a hint as to where this character operates for mission encounters. If you have a mission in Germany, then you may encounter Blitzwing. I guess it's to play into the fact the war is being waged everywhere since neither side have a country of origin or allegiance to any particular nation. Autobots want to protect all of humanity and Decepticons want to conquer it all. The nations shown so far all have the necessary resources both sides need to create energon as well.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Yeah. Maybe. If I were GMing, I’d 100% ignore these languages and set the action in whichever country it needs to be set it for the session. The language choices by the author seem like an inside joke or homage to something esoteric and not useful for the facilitation of fun.

@gyrrakavian Жыл бұрын

And here my guess was that it was a reference to Animated's version with three faces.

@thayenryan7448 Жыл бұрын

I never knew this existed, and now I want all of it. I’ve wanted something like this for SO LONG, this is AWESOME!

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Yeah this is a pretty cool product, all said and done.

@listentocoach15 Жыл бұрын

I need someone to play with lol dm me

@altondazmon3683 Жыл бұрын

If you would like to get a good peek at the society of the Transformers beyond just the combat I would recommend picking up Transformers : Exodus by Alex Irvine. He does a great job showing there is a cast system within Cybertron prior to the great war. There is also a sequel called Exiles but it is more about the combat. Exodus does a great job really fleshing out the characters and ideals that lead up to the division of Autobots and Decepticons.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Excellent recommendations, thanks, Alton! I’ll definitely be tracking down Exodus, and maybe Exiles as well.

@alphabladelm2011 Жыл бұрын

Definitely. Exodus was an amazing read and humanized the characters. I’d also say the games from High Moon Studios (War For Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron) and Transformers Prime did each side justice when describing their struggles and personal conflicts.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@alphabladelm2011 nice, I’ll watch a playthrough of those.

@lockjaw467 Жыл бұрын

TLDR; weak backstories may be intentional to let the gm flesh them out the way THEY invision. I assume backstories are thin because they might want those characters to be moldable when they show up. Fleshing out npcs too much can run into the problem that they can't always evolve down the road. Or it could be just trying to make them general enough to not solidify which version the player might have bias for. Blitzwing for example from g1 is very different from Blitzwing from TF Animated, and writing out to much from one backstory can limit taking elements from the other version's backstory while the gm might want to pull elements from both.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Good point. Committing to a single storyline here is just problematic.

@lockjaw467 Жыл бұрын

@@DaveThaumavore one of the key parts of transformers right? Be apatable

@rdubayoo Жыл бұрын

Hard disagree. If I want to throw some well known enemies at the players for a quick encounter, it would be nice if I had their stats on hand. Also, the characters tend to be similar in many respects despite different timelines. Like TFA and G1 Blitzwing both can turn into a tank or plane, have an absurd amount of deadly weapons, and we could assume their combat stats are above average at least. Any differences can be mended with a bit of quick tinkering rather than starting from scratch.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@rdubayoo well the original comment was about backstories, not stats. Stats are indeed provided in the book.

@AHeru-zt5qd Жыл бұрын

I'll say that I'm not a huge fan of Essence20 so far but the system seems to grow on me with each release, as each successive release actually uses it better. G.I. Joe was way better than Power Rangers and I find Transformers to be leaps and bounds ahead of G.I. Joe. I don't see a crossover happening at my table, mainly because I don't think I've ever liked the idea of Transformers and G.I. Joe crossing over, and I just don't see Power Rangers as being anything that needs to touch the other two properties. Great review and information. Keep it up!

@williamchamburgh8316 Жыл бұрын

But cobra was constantly appearing in G1

@AHeru-zt5qd Жыл бұрын

@@williamchamburgh8316 Maybe but that doesn't mean I've ever liked it. Haha.

@ribbitribbit4707 Жыл бұрын

There was a GI Joe/Transformers crossover from Dreamwave I think that I thought was really good.

@salsatheone Жыл бұрын

I have the same opinion, Power Rangers is currently just a pretty book on my shelf, because good God that was almost offensive to the intelligence of fans.

@toddleavitt3366 Жыл бұрын

There are PDFs that have some example characters actually fleshed out using the character generation…if you order the hardback book which looks awesome you can download all the available PDFs

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Yeah I should have mentioned those.

@jasonnewell7036 Жыл бұрын

I stopped watching them after the second one too. My wife was so scarred by it that her brain refuses to remember anything about it. To this day she denies that she ever watched it.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

That’s a brain trying to heal itself.

@soleyen7539 Жыл бұрын

Definitely give the Bumblebee movie a chance. It's a different universe than the Bay movies and is such a nice nod to the fan base. You know, instead of the Bay movies "car go vroom bomb go boom" thing they were going for.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@soleyen7539 I did in fact circle back to watch it and it’s everything I wished the original Bay movie was.

@hollyfalk1753 Жыл бұрын

Seeing zombie prime freaked me out as a kid too, still like transformers though.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@hollyfalk1753 Zombie Prime? lol

@17thknight Жыл бұрын

You could have two battle maps going at once. One scaled to the transformer mode, then another that's very "zoomed out" where you use matchbox cars and similar to represent the alt modes, with maybe a token on the alt mode map to represent transformers who aren't in alt mode

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

That’s such an obvious but brilliant solution!

@LeeONardo Жыл бұрын

Alternatively you can pick up "core" class figures which are small scale TF's that transform. There is a whole 3rd party market out there doing Legends (essentially core) class figures.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@LeeONardo that’s cool, I didn’t know those existed

@TopsideCrisis346 Жыл бұрын

So, what you're saying is, these guys effectively specialize in rule books for action figures. That. Is. Just. AWESOME!!! OMG, if we had this as kids, the conflicts that could've been mitigated, the name-calling and bickering that our parents would never have had to mediate, the real FUN we could have had! Something in me has always felt something like this NEEDED to exist, and now that it does, I just feel so vindicated! 😂 But seriously though, this sounds like it could make for some epic campaigns, and it gives us a reason to dust off our old toys and actually play with them. As adults. Because rules! 😃

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

I happen to agree with all of this.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Errata: When using a Skill Specialization, you roll all those dice but only add the highest roll to your d20 roll. Support the channel by joining my Patreon! www.patreon.com/thaumavore Sign up for my newsletter! bit.ly/ThaumavoreNewsletter

@bencox3641 Жыл бұрын

The multiverse was a really big part of the Transformers lore... than they got rid of it because it wasn't selling toys. And a other weird fact about the transformers is that female Transformers were almost a subspecies. You can guess why they got rid of that bit of lore. This doesn't have anything to do with the video or game but I just have nowhere else to tell people about these things.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

You’ve come to the right place.

@PlayerZeroStart Жыл бұрын

From what I understand, they ditched the multiverse shtick not because it didn't sell, but because they felt restrained when working on the aligned continuity and wanted to freedom to do their own thing.

@bencox3641 Жыл бұрын

@@PlayerZeroStart How can a multiverse restrained people? Just don't bring it up if you don't want to use it. There was supposed to be a INFINITE number of universes in the old multiverse.

@PlayerZeroStart Жыл бұрын

@@bencox3641 Well the issue is that, in that transformers multiverse, certain characters/events are the same across all universes. For example, every Unicron seen during the time of that multiverse was meant to be the same exact being. So if you wanted to include Unicron in a new story set in that multiverse, you had to make sure it didn't conflict with every other version of Unicron in that already existed.

@bencox3641 Жыл бұрын

@@PlayerZeroStart No, not really. In the original G1 cartoon we found out that Unicron was created by this alien mad scientist but in other universes he is usually a god that have been around since the beginning of time. In one comic (I forget which one) Primus was a supercomputer used by the Quintessons while in other stories he was the planet Cybertron its self. This was before they got rid of the multiverse. These are supposed to be gods that exist on a multiverse level, you can do pretty much whatever you want and just go "that was just one part of them in this one universe". Or "This universe works differently because of this reason".

@roboticgamer1174 Жыл бұрын

For the language stuff, it can vary from what Im guessing. Blitzwing speaks German, makes sense, German esque name and his whole deal was hit hard and out of nowhere, like the blitzkrieg. As for other characters and their languages, could go from they just like that culture to they hide there.

@Hot_SpicyGrill Жыл бұрын

Starscream was the Decepticon imbastor for japan. Comander radix did a lore video named "Transformers Lore: The Japan-Decepticon Alliance".

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Nice.

@TabletopTiger Жыл бұрын

WAtching through right now and HAVE to say if you haven't played War for Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron, they were the best Transformer games and were fun for their time especially in terms of being well plotted inline with the lore. I think that there's a few clunky bits that could use ironing out like any licensed setting (or any system for that matter), but would have really liked even a summarized keypoints of notable characters' backstories so folks get lore AND can better RP. Overall, it was a good review was always and tempted me to draft a session. Thanks again!

@VengefulJarl Жыл бұрын

Multi-player on Fall was my best time. I would rather play that then cod or any other big name game. I'd be perfectly happy with a series of miles with that cinimatic cgi.

@TabletopTiger Жыл бұрын

@@VengefulJarl I missed the multiplayer train on it and that was a huge bummer to me. Playing their wave mode with the few people I could was incredibly fun, the animations were great and the mechanics solid. I 100% those both so quickly. If only they made another one.

@Ryoku1 Жыл бұрын

@@TabletopTiger Good news. Fans have restored the multiplayer for WfC and FoC. Check out some videos by Orbital Bacon to get started. It's free.

@TabletopTiger Жыл бұрын

@@Ryoku1 best news I've heard in a while, thank you.

@kernsanders3973 Жыл бұрын

Nice havent seen a lot of people cover this! a Few of my TRPG friends are big transformer fans and did a few campaigns with this. Honestly very easy to include the other universe transformers. Unfortunately it takes a bit of time on the DM's part to prep stats for them but very do able. We did tweak some stuff to make it more streamlined. So if the RP took unexpected turns and had unexpected Autobot or Decepacon show up we had a straight forward process to quickly prep stats for them. We as well added some stuff to make it more interesting like Combining Transformers.

@Sixela963 Жыл бұрын

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of streamlining did you do?

@kernsanders3973 Жыл бұрын

@@Sixela963 Now worries! Templates, a huge help. So they already give you quite a few G1 stats, a lot of those cover varies different types of transformers. So we basically had different templates for various different types of transformers. If we would bring in a transformer that wasnt listed in the book we would have their general stats. Although would tweak them on a case to case basis depending on the transformer we would adapt. As some of them in general would be more bulky or agile. That you can easily determine from knowing a bit of the character. There was a few types of transformers that wasnt listed in the book. That we would create a template for from scratch like the Beast Transformers. But once we had the template it was just about adjusting the numbers depending on the certain transformer we would adapt.

@stormquiver Жыл бұрын

grew up with G1 as I'm sure many of us did. can't wait for this to deliver. Now I just need a group to play with.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Yeah this hits a sweet spot for me too. Same reasons.

@theanomaly3463 Жыл бұрын

Dude same, I just got my digital copy

@shockwavethewarlock Жыл бұрын

5:26 I love Elita-1’s evergreen design

@HandlesAreStupid2024 Жыл бұрын

We used to play a Transformers RPG and adapted the World of Darkess D10 system for the rules.

@GergoErdi Жыл бұрын

The deadpan delivery of the jokes is what really sells this review

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Thanks. I'll try to do more of those. Why not.

@project4061 Жыл бұрын

16:29 My best guess is to have the Decepticons get in contact with corrupted people who could aid them. Like in the example of Astrotrain, he could contact a North Korean dictator and request their assistance.

@MiniPainterGamerDadD20 Жыл бұрын

Been on the fence about this one.... now I'm convinced I need to get it.

@WelshGiraffa Жыл бұрын

I’m mainly getting this to use for D&D sessions the character backgrounds and traits aswell as how to efficiently handle alt modes and story

@lycandoodle Жыл бұрын

As a Transformers fan I think this is really cool I'm into D&D so I may one of these days pick this up I'm just not excited about the character creation process and learning a lot new rules It looks complicated but then again I play D&D so I'll hopefully get through it lol

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Once you’re ready to branch out, Essence 20 is pretty great.

@waltascher Жыл бұрын

These RPGs were originally created using the 5e system before Hasbro decided they should have their own system instead, so a lot of the Essence20 system is just 5e with different terms.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@waltascher that’s… hmm. Okay.

@Tremadog102 Жыл бұрын

An interesting concept but with so many transformers out there I think I'd struggle to come up with something unique. A golf cart? A hot air balloon? All the good alt modes are already taken. :p

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

They don’t need to be totally unique. And remember you can be a battleship or an iPad too!

@anarchomando7707 Жыл бұрын

They also have descriptive or bonkers names That even a porn star or bond girl would blush Optimus Megatron Bumblebee Ironhide bulkhead Swift twitch, The list is practically endless

@TechMeister-1993 Жыл бұрын

I feel like the thin Lore would be a strength instead of a weakness. Transformers, like Dungeons and Dragons, is a franchise that you can have multiple books written about just one specific Transformers timeline or setting. Having a thin lore in the main book allows people to use whatever timeline lore they want or create their own lore for their own world.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Yeah that’s what I figured.

@VengefulJarl Жыл бұрын

I've been working on a Transfirmers rpg off and on over the years lol I was very excited when I heard about this

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Yeah this one is not perfect but it’s pretty good I think.

@zephyrstrife4668 Жыл бұрын

Honestly... I feel like the rather thin lore gives GMs the opportunity to run a more homebrew-version of their take on the Cybertronian war. you're not limited to what the movies and comics have gotten... and let's be fair, for many people, the sole reason why they're getting it is because they're already a fan of the brand itself. There should at least be a decent summary of each character, but that would also increase the size of the book and likely the cost. So it's a toss up as to whether more lore or having it as is would be better.

@kingmasterlord Жыл бұрын

2:22 "got no time to read reviews while I'm working on the sequel" - ERB version Michael Bay

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

He certainly made a fortune on each one. So reviews be damned!

@marksteelman7747 Жыл бұрын

Hunter is a classic hero archetype, big bad wolf, little red riding hood, snowy white, hunter is extremely similar to a ranger.

@DS-si5cp 11 ай бұрын

Upshift on Know Direction have 2 of the people who helped make it discuss things and decisions made

@Darthvegeta8000 Жыл бұрын

They really should have provided some ready-made stats for a lot of canon Transformers on the Autobot side.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

It’s a real headscratcher why they didn’t.

@danieltorresgonzalez462 Жыл бұрын

I struggle to get into the DnD setting, But I'm well versed in the transformer lore. So much of what I struggle with in dungeons & dragons doesn't happen with the transformers, kinda happy about it. Only problem is between my friends I'm the only one who knows a thing about transformers

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

You might have to find some people to play with online.

@FrostyMac Жыл бұрын

I figure the copy-pasted rules are for crossover ease, since the idea of crossing over the various E20 games is part of the appeal for a lot of people. Getting to throw a transformer and a megazord together is an admittedly badass thing to be able to do in a ttrpg

@midnightplatypus1973 Жыл бұрын

IDW and a few others have done some pretty good G.I. Joe/Transformers crossovers, like you think it's going to be a joke, but actually turns out to be a pretty smart comic. One thing I'm not sure on. While both games use the same mechanical system, I'm guessing they're not really scaled to go together. I mean I'm guessing some of the Decepticon alt modes would translate into some of the most powerful weapons in the G.I. Joe/Cobra arsenals. Sort of like how Palladium with Robotech and eventually or most infamously with Rifts had the SDC and MDC damage systems. Would be an interesting supplement, something that allows the games to be played along side each other. Anyway, thanks for the review, my nostalgia has me curious about both games, and it's good to see that they're being hosted by what sounds like a decent mechanical system. The scaled dice reminds sort of how Free League's Twilight 2000 system works.

@twilight_phantom2969 Жыл бұрын

If I had to guess the languages the Decepticons speak is based on which countries their vintage toys were sold, though that's just a guess.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Everyone’s guess points to a non-diagetic inside joke or piece of trivia. Fan service for the most elite of fans.

@ChrissieBear Жыл бұрын

This game did Windblade dirty. Official arts says she's as tall as Bumblebee and shorter than Starscream, and that she is "Large", but the official G1 height for her is 26 feet tall. A whole 11 feet taller than Bumblebee and 10 feet taller than Starscream!!

@saraphys5555 Жыл бұрын

7:50 In regards to the "Hunter"; while I dont have the PDF of this RPG, I would imagine its derived from the archetype of Jazz, Prowl, Mirage, and Bluestreak... All of whom were Autobot special operatives, and are seen in the original G1 TV Show and Comics (both US & UK) as being part of the Ark's Security force directly under Optimus Prime (and occasionally Ironhide). Since there are actually a few Autobot Security Operatives who have the ability to either Turn Invisible or Camo themselves, the "Hunter" does actually fit with that. I think also that they were basing some concepts on the Multiplayer Transformers:Fall of Cybertron video game; which had a few achetypes like this to work within.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Everything about the hunter in this book is described in that one page shown in the video. I wish they would have added more detail. But your added context helps. Thanks!

@darthmelkor2809 Жыл бұрын

Just got the rule book today. Will love to play a head master

@Stronghand-yw1lk Жыл бұрын

I would love to play a dinobot triple changer in this! My dinoform would be a Ankylosaur and my vehicle form would be a M1A1 Abrams tank.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Nice concept.

@tylamcgilverson3923 Жыл бұрын

It's a robots manufacturing place that determins its language. Some transformers are not takara brand but something

@bearnaff9387 Жыл бұрын

In order to keep track of all the various continuities, a multi-versal description system was developed. While it's mostly used to keep track of meta-narratives and how continuities relate to one another, it's robust enough to include ways to describe both the former universe of the Go-Bots TV show, as well as a universe where Transformers are toys, comics, TV, and video games, but moral behaviors are generally reversed. One convention-told story takes place in that alternate evil real-world universe.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Sounds cool. I didn’t really see much of that in this book.

@anarchomando7707 Жыл бұрын

@@DaveThaumavore Oh it's fine. We have hundreds. We've been going on since the '80s and we're still fighting A good example. However, how even something as minute can have major impacts Optimus Prime, G1 he was a regular dock worker, got shot because He was a bit of a fanboy of Megatron. Then became Megatron's Arch enemy Transformers Prime Optimus was a data clerk He was actually friends with Megatron.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@anarchomando7707 Lol. It’s always evolving!

@davidrhode7019 Жыл бұрын

There was an unofficial Transformers supplement for the Mekton Zeta RPG. Mekton Zeta is published by R. Talsorian Games, and while not actively supported, is still maintained and available in print and .pdf. The Transformers material was written by Mark Chase, who has a website and is apparently now an author. I don't think the Transformers material he wrote is easily available anymore, but may still be accessible for clever gleaners of the internet...

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Very cool. Thanks!

@chasonlapointe Жыл бұрын

There was also a decent D20 book from Fantasy Flight called Mechamorphosis is their Horizon line that was pretty interesting as an off brand Transformers game.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@chasonlapointe someone mentioned that. I need to check it out.

@heavyheart9685 Жыл бұрын

Been waiting for my copy of the book.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

It’s a pretty nice product.I only did PDF myself.

@wallacebonner7939 5 ай бұрын

Transformers beat GI Joe out as my favorite childhood toy, but going through the book, I felt like there was something missing. Maybe it's the bridge between play as a kid to a more cohesive storytelling system; There aren't any plots that are inspiring me. Also, missing the combiner, Master and animal rules.

@RSBrowning74 Жыл бұрын

I have my own version of Transformers. Well they are not technically Transformers, but like Transformers, They are aliens that are artificial life form/robot with minor powers: Giant and wingless flight and major power: Techno-Form. Unlike the Transformers, these aliens are conquering planets and turning life forms into artificial life forms to grow their army. There is also a mutant that has similar powers to these aliens, I give him the name of Diaclone. What RPG game system allows such creation? Why Heroes Unlimited along with three addons books titled Powers Unlimited 1,2, and 3. But here's the Real kicker, The Makers of Heroes Unlimited also did an rpg titled Robotech in the 80's. And true fans of both Transformers and Robotech knows the history of Jetfire.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Sounds cool. Heroes Unlimited is quite the classic.

@lexxstrum Жыл бұрын

I had almost forgot about this; then I got worried I pre-ordered and forgot about it (looks like that's a no). Thanks for breaking this down for me; pretty much a theoretical gamer (buy a book, toy with system, store book until end of time), but I do have several co-workers who are old enough to have watched G1, so maybe this gets used. I've seen a lot of homebrew Transformers ttrpg stuff: my favorite was someone who created Beast Wars using White Wolf's rules circa early 2000's; just the sheer amount of lore they produced (stuff like how they moved from the smaller Beast wars forms from the OG Transformer bodies, and the 3 places Sparks come from), was worth the read!

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Wow, that homebrew sounds cool.

@joshuaheller784 Жыл бұрын

I actually used to run games with that homebrew years ago after I found it online. It was a lot of fun

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@joshuaheller784 Nice!

@ruckusfitnesd7505 Жыл бұрын

would be great to have a Beyond style setup so it allows for the extra space needed on sheets and picking and laying out abilities, stats and types of transformation etc

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Indeed. And I think Renegade would have the resources to do that too.

@rubiconcinematics2910 Жыл бұрын

The character profiles are probably so truncated because of the endless web of different continuities that you touched upon earlier - Blitzwing being a mass-produced drone is only canon in the G1 cartoon & maybe some of the mid-period comics, if I remember correctly? He has a very different backstory in the Unicron trilogy, Bay movies, and early Marvel or IDW comics So they presumably attempted to talk about each character in EXTREMELY general terms, so as to avoid alienating or confusing players with a preference for one of the other contiuities~

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Yeah that’s what I say in the video. lol So yeah, I totally agree with you!

@GamingMafia_id Жыл бұрын

Is that building 3D printed? Where did you get it?

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Yeah it’s from Corvus Games’ cyberpunk collection.

@hollyfalk1753 Жыл бұрын

Guess you never heard of the aligned continuity. The covenant of primus has a lot of info if you can find it. Walmart just got a second set of roughly inch and a half tiny transformer figurines that are die cast i believe, I think they are called nano metal figs. I got the first set just need to wait for payday to get the second.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Nice, I’ll check that stuff out.

@skeletonwithagun2119 2 ай бұрын

My buddy and I have been enjoying how fresh this system is compared to 5e d&d, under rated game system tbh

@andrewschlender7504 Жыл бұрын

I like this so far hopefully we get some more stuff. Maybe combiners that probably would be a roll playing nightmare. Desptcon book if that is all ready some where good.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

I’d gladly buy any supplements they put out for this game.

@biostemm Жыл бұрын

So why ever be a car? Does it cost more to be a jet, or are you more fragile/vulnerable?

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Chassis selection doesn’t really penalize you. You get an Essence bonus and an extra skill depending on what you pick. Alt mode in the game is pretty secondary to the gameplay for the most part.

@biostemm Жыл бұрын

@@DaveThaumavore I always felt like aircraft or military vehicles should consume more energon, and that's why Autobots could generally get by with less...

@rpgchronicler Жыл бұрын

Also you cant hang out in more civilian areas as a jet or a military vehicle in general. Although i wish to see some transform to a game console, a soda machine or even a traffic light (first two was from the first michael bay movie and the third from the cybertron anime with the cyber keys).

@biostemm Жыл бұрын

@@rpgchronicler I mean, unless you're a regular passenger car, you'd still stick out as a semi/firetruck/dump truck/etc, in many areas, but your point is taken. Given that they mentioned size/mass changing, I'd assume something like an iPod or tablet could be possible as well...

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@rpgchronicler it would be fun to run a campaign where all the PCs are small devices like iPhones and stuff, infiltrating various bases and facilities.

@kevinharris6650 Жыл бұрын

Renegade is obsessed with languages. Just count between the three E20 books the number of role abilities and perks that grant languages. The weird thing is languages rarely come up in any of the shows these games are based on.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Haha! So weird. I guess language barriers are supposed to be a big part of play for them. Most RPGs actively avoid them except in cases where it’s important to the story.

@Moldoro Жыл бұрын

A thing to note. The Renegade website also has a sort of scenario generator for Starscream's scheming. It is intended to be used to also work with the other various rogues in the franchise. As the core book doesn't (imo) have a good built in scenario generator itself I like to point this out, not to mention it is a free resource!

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Oh wow, I didn’t know that!

@Moldoro Жыл бұрын

@@DaveThaumavore There's that, and I think one or two other things. Enjoy and happy gaming!

@ChrissieBear Жыл бұрын

3:26 That's wrong, there's several official canons in a shared multiverse.

@carpma11 Жыл бұрын

Good review!

@rimjobsteve3264 Жыл бұрын

They make small scale versions of a lot of the characters and minicons were a whole thing back when I was a lad, they’d make nice minis on a map

@C03-T3 Жыл бұрын

I heard someone say it was fun to use their own toys, but a bit awkward to transform them in the middle of the game, the solution is to just not do that and to use your imagination, obviously, But my first thought was using that 2013(?) Bot Shot line, since they transform back and forth easily and quick. The problem is that they aren't selling anymore, but it's an idea.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

A bit more cost and clutter, but you could also have a second toy or stand-in model that represents the alt form. But honestly, I say get good at transforming your toy. Just takes practice!

@joshuabevins8244 Жыл бұрын

There are a few ttrpgs related to transformers. Mechamorphosis is one

@richardbrooksshnee Жыл бұрын

Honestly, it's an interesting list to build up from... But it's light and has some weird restrictions. Transforming into vehicle mode and ramming somebody or bot mode and grappling are super common animated moves which the action economy doesn't seem to allow. It also greatly restricts things being specifically from an autobot perspective. Furthermore, if it's officially licensed, there should be no restriction on the word transform. Robotech isn't Hasbro and uses it for their transforming mechanical armors. Veritech fighters, the cyclone motor cycles. Pretty sure the timidness towards the word doesn't add up.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Yeah what a strange legal blip. Just awkward.

@BetaRayBill32 Жыл бұрын

I believe the core issue is Hasbro believes using the word transform for going from one mode to another runs the risk of causing the word Transformers to become generic and would endanger the copyright.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@BetaRayBill32 that sounds plausible.

@richardbrooksshnee Жыл бұрын

@@BetaRayBill32 which doesn't make sense as entities beyond Hasbro use the terminology already. Veritech Fighters transform into Guardian or Sentinel mode. Transform as a mechanical form shift is already beyond Hasbro.

@TheMichaellathrop Жыл бұрын

My first thought is that Essence 20 has a lot of West End StarWars in it's RoboNuclaicAcid

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

That’s a noble source of inspiration.

@karanseraph4726 Жыл бұрын

The tiny character sheet may be designed to sell the character journal they also sell.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

That would be so lame.

@omarcuevas439 Жыл бұрын

I wish they did something with Heroclix, that would have been cool

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Agreed.

@omarcuevas439 Жыл бұрын

@@DaveThaumavore not only that, the minis would have been cool, plus you could use them as minis for a table top scenario. .

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@omarcuevas439 It’s a nice idea. Heroclix were so fun.

@zenithquasar9623 Жыл бұрын

This actually sounds pretty neat!

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

It’s not too shabby!

@supanerdreviews4056 Жыл бұрын

I think the thin lore is a good thing because there’s so much to draw from. Sure most people know the bare bones of the transformers but you can string pieces of different continuities together as long as they don’t step on each other’s toes to make your own setting for transformers Honestly I wish it promoted more gameplay in war on cybertron settings. Like during the aligned continuity

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Yeah it would have been cool to see the aligned continuity. I’d buy a book on that if they made one.

@supanerdreviews4056 Жыл бұрын

@@DaveThaumavore I mean honestly while I haven’t read the book I just learned about it today I could totally see making homebrew rules to replace the human Allies and human aspects with minicons because of micronus being one of the 13

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@supanerdreviews4056 That’s a really fun idea. A whole supplement could be devoted to that concept.

@supanerdreviews4056 Жыл бұрын

@@DaveThaumavore aligned continuity is one of those things where since we’ve seen the content unfolding you could hypothetically hop in anywhere as long as certain milestone events still happen. Plus with the history we know from the shows and games you can make a ton of fun locations such as a cybertronian history museum. Something with predacon fossils for shockwave to send goons to ransack

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@supanerdreviews4056 So much fun potential. I really hope Renegade comes around and embraces this.

@Nolinquisitor Жыл бұрын

10:30 The result of the roundhouse kick would be a 22, as you only keep the highest skill die result.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Ah, you’re right.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

I’ve added an errata in the pinned comment. Thanks.

@SimmonsProductions27 Жыл бұрын

The entire G1 series is also available on Hasbro’s KZfaq page!

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Oh nice!

@ajac009 Жыл бұрын

On the video game part their are some good games like Transformation devestation and transformers war of cybertron and fall of cybertron were AMAZING.

@maxthompson8591 Жыл бұрын

My theory with the languages is that it has to do with either different interpretations of characters or where the characters originally came from, Starscream speaks Japanese, and was originally a part of Diaclone

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

That’s probably what it is: esoteric connections.

@ChrissieBear Жыл бұрын

Aligned continuity for the win!

@maskedriderweaver4122 Жыл бұрын

Very interesting. I've been wanting to see this ever since I first heard about it. Now that I know the basic system is the same, I wonder how long before someone does a GIJoe/Transformers cross over. Uh oh, there went Bumblee...

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

The crossover is there for the taking.

@alexsolomon7991 Жыл бұрын

If i remember correctly, there was a bit where they tried tying ALL the Mattel stuff together..for instance, transformers went up against GI Joe..which led to the US military (and certain rogue factions) getting the tech that would be used for M.A.S.K. And let's not forget that era where Transformers was part of Marvel.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

I didn’t know about a MASK tie-in. Sounds fun.

@keikan300 Жыл бұрын

@@DaveThaumavore MASK as an RPG might be interesting

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

@@keikan300 I’d like it. Not sure if it would resonate on the Nostalgia-sphere.

@MrCOLBSTAH Жыл бұрын

I think the decepticons want peace as well. They're just willing to go through tyranny to do it. Autobots believe that freedom is the right of all sentient beings and they're willing to fight for that freedom.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

At the beginning of the G1 comics, the Deceps were mad because there was TOO MUCH peace.

@averylarsen2511 Жыл бұрын

Okay so to explain something. The reason the book seems light on lore is because it is written with the evergreen designs in mind. With transformers being so long running and taking on so many iterations, Hasbro and fans by extension don't really view anything as a long running continuity or reboots but instead view the world as a broad setting and cast of characters that can be played with and rearranged to create many different stories, as such Hasbro consolidates the brand not by creating one strict canon that all series follow but instead maintaining a core set of ideas and principles which guide the series. These are the Evergreen designs and Hasbro mostly uses these for product which doesn't fit into any given continuity such as the Authentics line or party balloons. Because this system is supposed to be a general overview of how to run a transformers game, it doesn't focus the specifics of every continuity but instead sticks the big beats of the story. We will probably see more in depth looks on specific continuities as supplements are published. Also could you perhaps explain the logic behind the damage in the game? is there something im missing? All the weapons only do 1 or 2 damage and im not quite sure i get the logic.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Good explanation! I think the logic behind the damage has to do with their design goal of characters never dying. But that being said, certain abilities and more powerful weapons do pack a punch.

@originaluddite Жыл бұрын

As a Transformers collector, I couldn't help smirking at the comment about using the toys as you would game miniatures "as long as they're in scale". :)

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Yeah, that’s ridiculous now that I think about it. The whole franchise threw scale consistency out the window on Day One.

@originaluddite Жыл бұрын

It's part of their charm ;)

@beardofspiderclimb434 Жыл бұрын

I know this is not a majority concern, but like the Cortex Marvel, i find that if i am playing a game based on a licence i want to play those characters not make my own world, make your own world and generate your own characters is when i use games like Savage Worlds or Traveller etc. But with Transformers i want to play the autobots i grew up with, Jazz, Cliffjumper etc. I want their stats.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

I can understand that sentiment.

@BonusEggs4Sale Ай бұрын

The rulebook art designer seems absolutely obsessed with Arcee. I mean, aren't we all.

@ronwisegamgee Жыл бұрын

If Mophidius ended up producing a system reference document for their 2d20 System, I wonder if and when Renegade Game Studios will do the same for Essence20?

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Great question. I’m just speculating here but it feels like Renegade plays their cards close to their chest. They don’t seem like the sharing type!

@pigwigeonmagenta6981 Жыл бұрын

I can under stand why blitzwing speaks German, it being a reference to transformers animated where he had a German accent from memory, but otherwise the languages seem randomly given out.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

That’s a good explanation for Blitzwing’s German, thank you.

@SenetTheSnek Жыл бұрын

Hopefully they bring in the Maximals and Predacons in cause my heart is with Beast Wars

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Yeah I think they’ll need to do this because the Beast Wars movie is looking like it’s going to be a winner!

@kalleendo7577 Жыл бұрын

Awesome!

@DarrinSK Жыл бұрын

The Cybertron videogame was great

@totallycarbon2106 Жыл бұрын

Hmmm on the subject of all the nice art softening the price tag, I do recognise a *lot* of it from the various IDW comics so I'm not sure how much new stuff was made for this if any.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

Well it’s still not free to use. Hopefully the original artists see some of that art licensing dough but I doubt it.

@jamesstaggs4160 Жыл бұрын

Why nobody has done a video game Transformers RPG by now will forever remain a mystery to me..

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

The lore is certainly rich enough at this point.

@cellphone7223 Жыл бұрын

I have 3 TTRPG systems for the Transformers universe, one uses the FATE engine, I highly doubt they are officially licensed though.

@tank_0r Жыл бұрын

If someone made a halfway decent TF MMORPG I may never be see in in public again.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

But grinding in those really sucks.

@Missingno700 Жыл бұрын

I think the languages may be references to certain appearances of the characters, Specifically Blitzwing knowing German is most likely due to the fact that hes very German inspired in animated

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

That’s a good guess shared by many.

@Alverant Жыл бұрын

My issue is that this is a class/level based game and I perfer point/skill based rule systems. IMHO class/leveling systems limit your character's growth and forces it down a narrow path with fewer options.

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

It’s hard to shake that class/level paradigm for some.

@knightmare397 Жыл бұрын

I wonder if they’ll ever adapt the game to allow you be Deceptions

@DaveThaumavore Жыл бұрын

That’s their next supplement I think.

@tatsu280 Жыл бұрын

I wonder if they kept the rules the same because the G.I. Joe and Transformers have been having crossover events for decades in the comics, essentially existing in the same universe. Exact same rules means you can have Duke and Optimus fight Cobra Commander and Megatron lol As for the PDF price for this and Power Rangers, it may seem like a cop-out answer but maybe it's because of the licensing prices, just trying to get a return. Though, yes, the hardcover price seems reasonable to other core books for other games.

@MICjordanTPR Жыл бұрын

It wasn't just the comics either... season 3 of the G1 cartoon featured Cobra Commander (as "old snake") trying to trap Autobots in human bodies he could murder, and a recurring character was Earth Defense Command officer Marissa Fairborne, who is the daughter of GI Joe's Duke (Dashiell Fairbourne)