Talk:Cybertronian (5e Race)

Regarding the Transformation trait, race traits never scale over 5th level.--Yanied (talk) 14:08, 3 October 2019 (MDT)

First, Cybertronians transform with things in their hands all the time in the shows. Second, they are able to, at a certain level, scan a second vehicle or animal as a second mode in a lot of shows. Third, I thought I was gonna handle the mechanics of the races. I work hard on these mechanics. :( Flamestarter (talk) 10:45, 5 October 2019 (MDT)Flamestarter

Oh, looks like I went overboard there. I apologize for that.

I'm not going to touch it anymore then, but some pointers:

• that whatever an "alt mode" is has to be defined, so it isn't like 4th edition. Otherwise, just "alternate form" or referencing the transforming trait is sufficient I think.
• The change for the vehicle was mainly so it is in line with the warforged, which is about the closest 5e has to transformers. I'm not too familiar with Transformers so I got the idea from this, which balances the concept to fit 5e.
• Subrace names, like race names, are not capitalized.
• CR2 might just be gamebreaking a bit for a level 1 PC. I myself was thinking it over for the last few days and think maybe even CR1 is too much and it should be lowered to CR1/2.
• And as said before, racial traits do not scale over 5th level unless it is just a dice (like a dragonborn's breath weapon).--Yanied (talk) 19:00, 5 October 2019 (MDT)

First, CR1 doesn't give great attack capabilities, and barely any to begin with. 2, Predacons are capitalized, along with Cybertronian, Autobot and Decepticon. Just like with the Corebots. Every time. 3, I want to put in the second transformation, and putting it in at level 5 seems overkill. Flamestarter (talk) 03:40, 6 October 2019 (MDT)Flamestarter

The point isn't to give them great attack abilities. Transformation right off the bat is mainly for the sake of utility, like to disguise oneself or utilize the benefits of other creatures that can fly and such. If you give them a CR too high right out of the gate, that knocks the balance straight out of this, even if it *is* accurate to the source. Remember we adapting material to 5e standards, which do not always allow for all mechanics to happen. If you want though, you can add some extra flavor traits like skill or tool proficiencies to better give them other bonuses.

The subtitles are capitalized, but the names in text are not. In corebot's lore, for example, the races name is not capitalized. Proper nouns are capitalized as usual.

It may be better to do away with the second transformation all together, as spells for transforming are available later if it is going to be gamebreaking. But it is a set given for balance and 5e racial precedent that traits, other than damage increases, do not change beyond 5th level.--Yanied (talk) 19:36, 6 October 2019 (MDT)

Good point about the CR. I'll think about that. I'll think about making some other traits, but for now I want to keep it clean. I'd like to leave the second transformation, maybe put it in a different part of the leveling process. Thank you for your concerns and comments. I enjoy collaborating with you. Flamestarter (talk) 03:42, 12 October 2019 (MDT)Flamestarter

As do I. It does look pretty good. If you are serious about the second transformation, maybe put a cap on the CR which it can choose at level 5, since that remains the highest level this kind of trait can scale to. As for other traits, I feel like they deserve some kind of unarmored bonus since they are metal machines after all.--Yanied (talk) 16:15, 12 October 2019 (MDT)

Yanied, it's rare that I take advice like that trait thing, where I mess with the mechanics of something that I think is perfect. But actually, I whole-heartedly agree. I just didn't think of that. So thank you. I'd like you to take care of the CR thing while I fine-tune some other things. Flamestarter (talk) 17:05, 13 October 2019 (MDT)Flamestarter

Well I added the 5th level limit and the additional clauses. I maintain the CR cap because other shapeshifting races usually don't go beyond a certain CR, and CR 2 at 1st level is too much. Additionally, CR 1 is still above level 1 for a PC because CR=/=level. So I think CR 1/2 is about right for a level 1 cap.--Yanied (talk) 19:50, 13 October 2019 (MDT)

Subrace Proposition

As is, 5e has a non-existent vehicle system. But! I have devised a system to avoid as much fiat as possible! This system could also integrate Predacons/Maximals, if need be.

Transform. Choose one of the options on the table below. As an action, you can enter and exit this alternative form. All of your equipment and everything you are holding converts alongside your form, unless you cannot carry it due to weight limits. Your movement speed becomes the one below, and cannot be increased by class features. You lose all your current attack options, and it is replaced with a ranged or melee weapon attack(your choice) that deals one damage(choose what damage when you choose this subrace). It's damage die is listed in the same table.

Alternate Form Table Alternate Form Type Speed Damage and Range Light Ground 45 ft. 1d6, ranged(30/90) Medium Ground 35 ft. 1d8, ranged(40/120) Heavy Ground 20 ft. 1d10, ranged(50/150) Light Flying 5 ft, 40 ft flying. 1d4, ranged(30/90) Medium Flying 5 ft, 30 ft flying. 1d6, ranged(40/120) Heavy Flying 5 ft, 15 ft flying. 1d8, ranged(50/150) Weapons Platform 0 ft. 1d12, ranged(80/240) This solves the problem of relying on vehicles that don't exist, having potentially much worse balance, and also allows for many different alternate modes, as it can also represent more melee centric forms like those of the aforementioned Predacons. While I'm not sure on the flying, it seems mostly fine to me. I would greatly appreciate others thoughts on this before implementing. --SwankyPants (talk) 15:54, 20 October 2020 (MDT) It looks serviceable to reduce the subrace numbers. Transformers are usually stuck with only one alternate form so that should be locked at creation.--Yanied (talk) 22:08, 3 December 2021 (MST) Though do keep in mind that some transformers can have up to 5 alt modes (Like Sixshot from Generation 1) and others have seen changing their alt form for a different one (Something Bumblebee did in the 2007 Transformers movie).--ThatOneNekosune (talk) 1:46 PM, 23 March 2023