The Intergalactic Highway

Well, from the way I figure.. he can't be eaten, he should be able to survive a hit or two from Tantrum, and even if he isn't that effective in combat he's a good meat shield that can fix things and haul people around. So either way, he's the closest to a constructicon or astrotrain that I can think of.

Least Umbra wont have any issues with survivability.. or maybe I just find it easier to use things with tentacles....*LOL*

***Since Blazemane is no longer an active RPGer, I guess I'll take his spot for giving feedback. I'll post in numerical format so it's easier for you to reply.

1) Just a personal opinion here, but if you do wanna make him play a tankish role in combat (which he has the Endurance for), you should probably give him more Courage. The way I see is, even if you're capable of doing something, you're not going to actually do it unless if you get over your fears and hesitations. I get that 5 is like the middle number on a 1-10 scale, but I just don't see Optimus asking an average Maximal to be a bullet sponge. Plus, judging by your playing style with Glowstick, Umbra, Icebreaker, and Aerostriker, you're the kind of player who likes to take charge. You like to go forth and do the things no one else in the game was planning on doing (or was too afraid to do). Even with a Courage rating of 5, I have a feeling you might accidentally have Landslide exceed his stat parameters and do something heroically out-of-character.

Frilla is a good example of a Maximal who's role is more in-line with "technician" than "combatant", and she has a Courage rating of 6. You wrote that Landslide is a "field unit" whose function is to be a combat engineer and is equipped with a chaingun and grenade launchers (Firepower rating of 8 ). Add in those wing shields (Endurance rating of 10), you have yourself a pretty awe-inspiring soldier. However, combine those with a Courage rating of 5 and you'll have some people scratching their heads. Let's look at the Courage ratings of other characters who were designed to be durable, frontline combatants:

Inferno: 10
Ironclaw: 8
Megatron: 10
Optimus Primal: 10
Orcariner: 9
Tantrum: 9

If you want Landslide to be a potential guardian/tank/meat shield/bullet sponge/etc., I'd say look to these characters for reference. Even if you take away that aspect of your character, I still think you should have Landslide's Courage rating to be no less than a 7. It still takes a lot of guts to transport soldiers into battle, especially due to the fact that he'll become a high profile target. Now, here are some characters who have average Courage ratings:

Buster: 5
Manterror: 5 (a rating I think is too low, btw)
Waspinator: 5

Do you really see Landslide behaving like any of these three in battle?

2) It certainly helps out with the whole transport role, but holy cow we're talking about a 25 foot beetle here! I mean, I'm one to talk seeing how my character's 22 feat long, but at least that's average for his species. When I first saw "Hercules beetle" I assumed he'd be around Ironclaw's build at the most. 25 feet is a real eye-opener and it unsettles me. The robot mode appears to be much more believable at 14 feet, but you'd think being a beetle would make him a shellformer (robot mode being taller than beast mode). Again, this is just my personal opinion and you're certainly not obligated to abide by it. The final decision goes to both you (the creator) and OOP (the moderator).

3) You say he's a bit older in age. Are we talking like Rhinox old, or we talking about "back in my day!" kind of old? I'm really hoping it's the former, since I don't think the latter would be well suited for such a powerful build.


Overall, Landslide's profile looks really cool and I think you've picked a fantastic species. I actually almost chose the stag beetle for Buster's alt. mode but opted for a more comical approach instead. Considering how frequently the Maximals get banged up in combat, they could definitely use someone for field repairs. Also considering how much firepower the Predacons possess right now, it'd be great to have another tank character stand side-by-side with Orcariner. Landslide has the stats and tools to be a great all-around combatant, and his utilities make him perfect for non-fighting roles. I just think his biggest flaw thus far is his lack of Courage, which doesn't do the guy justice given how much potential he has for field duties.

1) good point, I'll boost the courage. I was keeping it lower to have him less aggressive, and trying to not take charge.. though I seem to end up in that position.*L* Okay, lowered firepower to 6, bumped courage to 7.

2)Well, part of the size reason is because he'd need to be big to transport them around, the other reason.. is the horns. The horns of a Hercules beetle take up half their body length. http://onebigphoto.com/frog-on-the-hercules-beetle/ (Seems that site doesn't like hotlinking, so here's a direct link to that image.) edited size down to 21 ft.

3) Yeah, Rhinox kinda age, 35 to 40sish. Though I did ponder the "Back in my day" Kup routine, but I didn't think I'd keep it up.*LOL*

So, I think we should probably add some of the changes that came up over the year or two for the profile template. Other things to discussion.. a minimum stat requirement I suppose.


Changes include:
Courage stat used as a will stat essentially, providing defense against psychological based attacks, or just projecting the user's will to overcome a situation.
Normal characters are allowed 5 weapons and a item slot, fuzors are equipped with 4 weapon slots, transmetals are equipped with 4 weapon slots, transmetal vehicle modes are free with the extra stats.
Normal and fuzors have more stealth capabilities compared to transmetals, while transmetals have better energon resistance in robot mode due to being turned inside out. Fuzors have better mobility then either normally, while normals just carry more gear.
Anything I'm forgetting?

Some things I've edited after reviewing Orcariner's profile for the first time in over a year:

- Removed EMP charge from motion sensors.
- Fixed the self-destruct of motion sensors so that they are harmless.
- Made the arm-shield generator removable on condition that the character can't create another one until it's given back to him or he replaces it.
- Removed flare countermeasures and replaced them with an ECM jammer.
- Reduced the bubble shield time from 20 seconds to 8 seconds, but also reduced the recharge time from 5 minutes to 3 minutes.

NaitoKage wrote:So, I think we should probably add some of the changes that came up over the year or two for the profile template. Other things to discussion.. a minimum stat requirement I suppose.


Changes include:
Courage stat used as a will stat essentially, providing defense against psychological based attacks, or just projecting the user's will to overcome a situation.
Normal characters are allowed 5 weapons and a item slot, fuzors are equipped with 4 weapon slots, transmetals are equipped with 4 weapon slots, transmetal vehicle modes are free with the extra stats.
Normal and fuzors have more stealth capabilities compared to transmetals, while transmetals have better energon resistance in robot mode due to being turned inside out. Fuzors have better mobility then either normally, while normals just carry more gear.
Anything I'm forgetting?

1) Courage doesn't really need any change, because it's always essentially been exactly what you've just described (at least in my eyes). The only thing that needs changing is how players choose to utilize this stat, assuming this is a problem at all. If the character is a Rank 1, then it'll have severe somatopsychological effects from being cowardly. If the character is a Rank 10, then it'll be rare to see it fazed in the face of danger. Everything in between those two numbers is all relative. I'll even use my own two characters as an example. Orcariner has a Courage of 9 (high), which makes it easy for him to jump in front of his friends when they come under heavy fire. Buster has a Courage of 5 (average), which means he's easily intimidated by threatening things, but will muster the will to fight if he's either pushed or if he's under the impression that there are no negative consequences.

2) Why so many weapon/item slots? I mean, there's only so many things a character can carry, and it becomes difficult to keep track of everything involved. Plus, what if someone wants to forgo using a weapon and replace it with an item? What lines will we draw between the two so that items don't become weaponized (like Orcariner's motion sensors)? In the show, the average Transmetal only had about 2-3 weapons. The most weapons I can count for a normal would be Optimus Primal, but even that was little excessive. It reminds me of the Rob Liefeld era of comic books where every hero and villain had an insane amount of belts and pouches strapped all over their bodies when it is painfully obvious that they never use them. I'm not worried about why a Normal would require 5 weapons. I'm worried about how a normal would utilize 5 different weapons. I'm looking through Buster's profile at the moment, and having 4 weapons for a normal seems to be pushing it. I honestly don't even think TMs should carry that much firepower. Megatron only has 3 if you count his lance as two separate weapons given what they can do. Optimus also only has 3 weapons. These are canon-characters who are the leaders of their respective factions, and should be the two undisputedly most powerful characters in the game.

3) The difference between Normals/Fuzors and TMs were already settled a while back. That's the reason why I had Orcariner's radar incapable of detecting normals/fuzors that are in beast mode, because they're able to maintain that whole "robots in disguise" idea. The television show already settled for us that Transmetals are immune to energon, which is why we compensated the normals for being immune to radar detection (in beast mode).

4) No to the minimal stat requirement, but yes to being more strict in regulating players. It's unfair to tell players that they have to mold their characters a certain way in order to entertain the guidelines that some people have decided to impose onto others. On the other hand, if someone does want to forgo one stat in order to dump points into another stat, the community has to be proactive in calling out players so that they recognize their character's weaknesses accordingly. If Joe doesn't have Firepower, then Joe better not expect to knock out anybody with his shots. If Joe doesn't have Courage, then Joe better not act all cocky and take an opponent (or worse, opponents) who clearly outclasses him. If Joe doesn't have Intelligence, then Joe better not draw up some master fix-it plan that gets his team out of trouble within seconds. If Joe doesn't have Skill, then Joe better not be landing most of his shots or expertly dodging enemy attacks. The list goes on and on, but we can't blame the character profile for mistakes that are made in the RPG. We have to blame the player for ignoring the profile that he/she has made.

Alak wrote:Some things I've edited after reviewing Orcariner's profile for the first time in over a year:

- Removed EMP charge from motion sensors.
- Fixed the self-destruct of motion sensors so that they are harmless.
- Made the arm-shield generator removable on condition that the character can't create another one until it's given back to him or he replaces it.
- Removed flare countermeasures and replaced them with an ECM jammer.
- Reduced the bubble shield time from 20 seconds to 8 seconds, but also reduced the recharge time from 5 minutes to 3 minutes.

Sorry for bringing that up, but I noticed that while going through the forums. This looks fine.

Alak wrote:1) Courage doesn't really need any change, because it's always essentially been exactly what you've just described (at least in my eyes). The only thing that needs changing is how players choose to utilize this stat, assuming this is a problem at all. If the character is a Rank 1, then it'll have severe somatopsychological effects from being cowardly. If the character is a Rank 10, then it'll be rare to see it fazed in the face of danger. Everything in between those two numbers is all relative. I'll even use my own two characters as an example. Orcariner has a Courage of 9 (high), which makes it easy for him to jump in front of his friends when they come under heavy fire. Buster has a Courage of 5 (average), which means he's easily intimidated by threatening things, but will muster the will to fight if he's either pushed or if he's under the impression that there are no negative consequences.

Eh, Some people may not realize that. But true.

Alak wrote:2) Why so many weapon/item slots? I mean, there's only so many things a character can carry, and it becomes difficult to keep track of everything involved. Plus, what if someone wants to forgo using a weapon and replace it with an item? What lines will we draw between the two so that items don't become weaponized (like Orcariner's motion sensors)? In the show, the average Transmetal only had about 2-3 weapons. The most weapons I can count for a normal would be Optimus Primal, but even that was little excessive. It reminds me of the Rob Liefeld era of comic books where every hero and villain had an insane amount of belts and pouches strapped all over their bodies when it is painfully obvious that they never use them. I'm not worried about why a Normal would require 5 weapons. I'm worried about how a normal would utilize 5 different weapons. I'm looking through Buster's profile at the moment, and having 4 weapons for a normal seems to be pushing it. I honestly don't even think TMs should carry that much firepower. Megatron only has 3 if you count his lance as two separate weapons given what they can do. Optimus also only has 3 weapons. These are canon-characters who are the leaders of their respective factions, and should be the two undisputedly most powerful characters in the game.

Er.. if we go by that, technically Rattrap has four weapons then? Because Explosives, Shields, Tail lance, and Fusion rifle. Anyway, it was something done because some complained and half the profiles have like four or five weapons as is.. Items usually would be things like jump jets, portable computers,sensory not normal to the animal,parametric speakers, med kits, or something under normal circumstances isn't really weaponized or that impressive. Admittedly, it's easy to weaponize any item.. a spare fuel tank could easily become an improvised explosive, or med kits could become torture devices, or a screwdriver could become a dagger.. Primus knows how many times I've used my tools for things they aren't intended for.*L*

Also as I think about it...... Sword,Arm shield,motion sensor, ECM jammer.. then 8 second barrier.. Tactical headset.. ........... You know. I think I'm just going to end it there. I think I go over the limit by having Umbra carry around a flashlight at this point. *LOL*

Alak wrote:3) The difference between Normals/Fuzors and TMs were already settled a while back. That's the reason why I had Orcariner's radar incapable of detecting normals/fuzors that are in beast mode, because they're able to maintain that whole "robots in disguise" idea. The television show already settled for us that Transmetals are immune to energon, which is why we compensated the normals for being immune to radar detection (in beast mode).

True, but we don't have that listed, so the players may not know when making the character?

Alak wrote:4) No to the minimal stat requirement, but yes to being more strict in regulating players. It's unfair to tell players that they have to mold their characters a certain way in order to entertain the guidelines that some people have decided to impose onto others. On the other hand, if someone does want to forgo one stat in order to dump points into another stat, the community has to be proactive in calling out players so that they recognize their character's weaknesses accordingly. If Joe doesn't have Firepower, then Joe better not expect to knock out anybody with his shots. If Joe doesn't have Courage, then Joe better not act all cocky and take an opponent (or worse, opponents) who clearly outclasses him. If Joe doesn't have Intelligence, then Joe better not draw up some master fix-it plan that gets his team out of trouble within seconds. If Joe doesn't have Skill, then Joe better not be landing most of his shots or expertly dodging enemy attacks. The list goes on and on, but we can't blame the character profile for mistakes that are made in the RPG. We have to blame the player for ignoring the profile that he/she has made.

Technically, with how the specs are.. The only skill you can have zero for and be competent is firepower. If you have zero for skill, your character is worse then waspinator. If you have zero for intelligence, you have a IQ lower then Transmutate, and if your speed is zero.. well your immobile.. or slower then Retrax with his amazing speed of 1. On a side note! Apparently Retrax isn't a pill bug. He's a Pill Millipede. http://www.wildabouttheworld.com/galler ... lipede.jpg I was surprised by this.

But getting to the point, this was proposed because some players have issues with the idea of characters who have no ranged skills. However, I do agree that doesn't entirely seem fair, specially considering some players don't want to use firepower or don't remember such things.

Nah, don't be sorry for bringing that up or calling me out on anything. You're just doing your job keeping others accountable, which is definitely helpful for those of us who don't even remember what our own characters do. Yeah, I still agree that our current characters are packing a lot of heat, or in Orcariners case as you've mentioned, a lot of utilities. If those certain people who do want to have more weapons want to voice their opinions and explain it's necessary, I'm all ears. I just see it as a means for characters with firepower getting more guns than they can carry or characters who are melee-based carrying blades/blunts that they can't possibly use in coordination with their primary weapons. I won't complain if that gets voted through, but I would demand that players should be given the option to switch weapons slots for item slots. I don't see why I should give someone like Orcariner more than his sword and shield, but I could make use of items for obvious reasons.

You're also right that we need to be more clear about rules regarding detectability. Current players might be aware (that's my assumption) but it might be confusing for newbies. As for those "some players" who take issue with melee characters, they'll just have to deal with it because I'm adamant that it's the player's right to choose where points are distributed under a 48-50 points limit. Like I said before, those who forgo point allotment in a certain category will have to understand the weaknesses that come with it. Low Firepower reduces a character as a ranged threat. No Firepower means the character is absolutely eliminated as a ranged threat. As long as players keep each other accountable for said strengths and weaknesses, it will not break the game mechanics. Every OC character has the same point total (within its class), ergo, every OC character is equally powerful in its own specific way.

EDIT- With Aerostriker dead, we pretty much returned to having melee-centric Maximals vs. gun-rocking Predacons. Should be interesting to see how these fights play out.

Alak wrote:Nah, don't be sorry for bringing that up or calling me out on anything. You're just doing your job keeping others accountable, which is definitely helpful for those of us who don't even remember what our own characters do. Yeah, I still agree that our current characters are packing a lot of heat, or in Orcariners case as you've mentioned, a lot of utilities. If those certain people who do want to have more weapons want to voice their opinions and explain it's necessary, I'm all ears. I just see it as a means for characters with firepower getting more guns than they can carry or characters who are melee-based carrying blades/blunts that they can't possibly use in coordination with their primary weapons. I won't complain if that gets voted through, but I would demand that players should be given the option to switch weapons slots for item slots. I don't see why I should give someone like Orcariner more than his sword and shield, but I could make use of items for obvious reasons.

I also forgot you got those optional chairs.. which.. I think we'll need to add more seats to. *LOL* You know, I think maybe we should look into maybe optional storage.. like what Steelclaw used to do.. or maybe encumberment effects based off the strength and size? Though then again.. Landslide kinda has that beat since he literally has a 10 ft long box on his back. 0_o

Alak wrote:EDIT- With Aerostriker dead, we pretty much returned to having melee-centric Maximals vs. gun-rocking Predacons. Should be interesting to see how these fights play out.

Yeah.. well, it seems like that works a bit easier then being a glass cannon. I would of tried to keep him alive, but considering his accuracy was crap, his firepower useless, and his beast mode too weak to even carry allies or strong armor.. he's just useless for what the Maximals need. Though the firepower thing bugs me and admittedly even Landslide seems like he's pushing it for functionality as I think about it. Or maybe that's just because I tried to squeeze a tank and a constructicon together.*LOL*

Hey, guys. Just wanted to say that I haven't forgotten to review all this new info and NK's character. Will catch up on it soon!

Okay, Wasn't exactly too worried since if it came up when he's joining in, I'd probably just send you a message about it.

Anyway, updates since I didn't list any since the last ones..

Changed beast mode from hercules beetle to Atlas beetle, also known as the "Three horned beetle" same family type, but it's horn length is smaller.
Reduced beastmode length down to 18 ft due to smaller horns.
Changed chaingun to anti aircraft guns, essentially operating alot like OP's guns being a fire linked rapid fire weapon.
Added colored art
Changed skill down 1 and raised courage 1, due to Atlas beetles being fairly aggressive and also the fact that this character will probably be under heavy fire alot. This probably wont be too much of an issue as his skill wont be required to be too high considering his focus isn't repairing allies, just building, transporting, or mining.. which if Waspinator and Inferno can do it, anyone can. Skill wont effect him weapon wise much either, as none of his weapons use high accuracy(Area of effect focus if anything), and there isn't much finesse with swinging around a chainsaw or acting as a meat shield.

And that's pretty much it, so feel free to tear into it.

Actually, NK, I think you and Alak had a great discussion on Landslide (among other aspects of specs), and I think I'm generally happy about everything in his profile and all the changes that were made. He may have one too many weapons necessary, but since he's a combat engineer and some of them like the chainsword can be used for other skills, I will accept it. I know Rattrap was mentioned in the discussion as someone who has a lot of weapons and tools to use at his disposal as well, but he's a lot smaller and carries smaller items and it comes with his functions. I like Landslide overall and he should prove to be a great addition to the Maximals, and hopefully making Aerostriker your last K.I.A. in the game. Feel free to bring him in to the game when you're ready!

Side note about courage: I don't see it necessarily making a character take charge or in search of leadership. A character with a lot of courage could just be brave and eager to jump into a challenge with or without thinking before acting.

Also, Alak, thank you taking up Blazemane's position in all of this bio speculation and whatnot. Helps me out a lot!

Optimal Optimus Primal wrote:and hopefully making Aerostriker your last K.I.A. in the game.

^ THIS.

Oh, and I'm happy to throw in my opinions, OOP! I know you're pretty busy sometimes and with Blazemane gone, you and NK were pretty much the only two people who gave any sort of feedback with new profiles. I'd be glad to do what I can to make your job easier

Optimal Optimus Primal wrote:Side note about courage: I don't see it necessarily making a character take charge or in search of leadership. A character with a lot of courage could just be brave and eager to jump into a challenge with or without thinking before acting.

I believe he mentioned that since I have a habit of taking charge when there's no willing direct leadership established, though admittedly a good leader doesn't have to be at the front of the battlefield if they're a good tactician. But considering Landslide does a tanking role, not to mention probably building things and carrying allies while under fire, he did need alot of courage for that stuff.

Optimal Optimus Primal wrote:He may have one too many weapons necessary, but since he's a combat engineer and some of them like the chainsword can be used for other skills, I will accept it.

Heh, I was going to go for a more tool themed weapons list, but I'm not sure how useful a pipe wrench would of been. It's also not listed, but his shield will probably also be used as an improvised shovel sometimes.*L*(Which I use the term shovel loosely, he just grabs it with his horns in beast mode and slides the dirt around like a person moving a potatochip through dip.) Landslide is very multifunctional focused since I wanted him to be able to fit the role properly. In the military, Combat engineers aren't really the strongest in terms of firepower, but their machines are.. ridiculous. Tanks with bulldozer blades and turret shovels with winches,or folding bridge platforms that can act like armored shields, amphibious carriers that transform into bridges.. So.. again, he's probably the closest to a constructicon/insecticon/Astrotrain we got.

Alak wrote: Optimal Optimus Primal wrote:and hopefully making Aerostriker your last K.I.A. in the game.

^ THIS.
Oh, and I'm happy to throw in my opinions, OOP! I know you're pretty busy sometimes and with Blazemane gone, you and NK were pretty much the only two people who gave any sort of feedback with new profiles. I'd be glad to do what I can to make your job easier

Yep, should be. Considering he's like a slow moving armored bunker, it'll be hard to kill him,but still possible to stop him from either using damage or using the environment around him to their advantage(Rockslides,pittraps,water,etc) to stop him. As for people giving feedback on the new profiles, honestly most people don't even read the profile forum other then a handful. We could probably get Phoenix interested, but she's rather busy as well and TF lore sometimes gives her headaches.

Great profile NK, really like the ideas behind the character. I was a bit worried by the size of some characters such as Ocariner but I came to realize it was never an issue. Would it be safe for Ironclaw to describe Landslide as not being a soldier when they first meet? It's just that from their first impressions he does seem like he would be quite passive.

And btw, are you using 'Aye' as a personal pronoun?

I completely agree with OOP on the courage thing. I don't like the number just representing what kind of actions they can or can not take, whether they be brave or cowardly. I wouldn't want the numbers for a given character to change just like the rest of you (I assume). However I do think that characters will change over time. My one being a good example because he isn't just going from hero to hero, there will actually be...progression. I don't mean to pick on you Alak but just as an example, I'd be annoyed that at Ocariner would have the courage do something and Ironclaw wouldn't just because there is a courage difference of 1.