Transformers Alt Modes

Now I have a game that works, it's time to give the robots their alt modes. These are mostly Micromachines and N scale vehicles from eBay. The Micromachines produced a range of futuristic vehicles which are perfect for Cybertronian designs.

What I have tried to do in my game is give the robots a reason for using their alt modes. This was something missing from the Xenos Rampant game. 

In the game, a robot can normally move 4" and a leader can move D12. By changing into their alt vehicle mode, they can move D12 inches when they first transform. The subquent round, wheeled/ hover vehicles can move 2XD12 and jets/ flying craft can move 3XD12. This is a great reason to shift forms as it can get units from one side of the battle to the other and save a lot of leg work. This is really useful for grabbing objectives or finding heavy cover.

 Also, players may attempt to charge into combat by transforming to make up a distance unattainable by a running robot. By ramming into combat the attacking unit gains an extra dice. It all adds up.

Heavy 'armoured' units can only move one D12 to adjust for their immense weight. These heavy units often have tracks instead of wheels. They are tough and not built for speed. 

It might be a nice idea to give these heavy units the chance of a '12' saving throw on a D12. This could knock off a damage dice and save them from taking a wound. It might make up for their lack of mobility. Just one roll, not multiple. As it takes two hits to score a wound, this armour save could prove very useful and give more character to the game.

Futuristic vehicles are spot on for these older pre earth Cybertronic forms.

That is one big strike force assembled, complete with heavy support and light scouts.

Futuristic tanks from the Micromachines provide military hardware too. Time and time again this game just writes itself.

 Finding rubber keyrings of robots was one thing, but then being able to source all the alt modes from micro toys just seemed to good to be true. Obviously, lots of glue, Lego and plastic card helps too. 
 

UPDATE:  All these made up robots now have alt modes into which to transform.

Autobot scout Hound now has tough Humvee to turn into.

I chose a funky van for Side wire to turn into. The actual figures needed a bit of extra paint work just to tie them to their vehicluar form better.

Slammer had a lucky find with this futuristic tank from Micromachines.

My latest thinking on the heavy war bots. They will get a 12 saving throw against ranged attack. If they transform into their tank form, then this will go up to an 11+ save on a D12. This way the player is tempted to use the alt mode more. The heavies loose a dice in movement but gain a saving throw. 

The smaller vehicles get to roll two D12 for movement and any going 6+ inches (60mph), the enemy have an increase in difficulty to hit them. So in a way the fast moving, smaller vehicles have a save too.

I sat and rolled some test dice, a 12 is bloody hard to get, so I decided to allow the heavies to roll for each successful hit against them.

In the lore, the Autobots started to adjust themselves into fighting machines to resist the war like Decepticons. Large, powerful bots came to be that could turn into powerful gun platforms etc. I like the idea of tougher class of bot in the game as it fits nicely with the history of the Cybertronian war.

Catching up now with all of the bots I made, Impactor gets his alt mode.

I thought I'd give these new speed paints from Army painter a go. They should be great for strong 'cartoon' hues. Yellow is a hard colour to get right, let's see how this stuff turns out...

I sprayed the model gray and highlighted it before applying the paint.

So the Speed paints worked well to paint up the alt mode vehicle. I gave it a few dark washes too to make it match the battle worn robot mode.

A bit of carbon scoring around the cannon makes it look like it's seen some action... definitely not Lego.