Editing The Enigma of Combination

{{disambig2|the sourcebook for the [[Transformers Roleplaying Game]]|the mystical artifact for which it's named|Enigma of Combination}}
{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''The Enigma of Combination''
|prev=Decepticon Directive
|image= EnigmaOfCombinationSourcebookCover.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[Renegade Game Studios]]
|written by= [[Mercedes Acosta]], [[Joseph Blomquist]], [[Michael Bramnik]], [[John Curtin]], [[Chesley Oxendine]], [[David Schwartz]], [[Jim Sorenson]], [[Bryan C.P. Steele]] & [[Diego Valdez]]
|date=[[March 26]], [[2024]]
|pagecount=127
|price=$45.00 USD
|ISBN=ISBN 978-1-957311-15-9
}}

'''''The Enigma of Combination''''' is an expansion sourcebook for the [[Transformers Roleplaying Game]]. The book contains rules for players to create Combiner characters and a multitude of new character influences, origins, and role focuses, as well as new potential allies and threats to pit against players.

==Contents==
===Chapter 1: The Sum Of Their Parts===
{{collist|2|
* What are Combiners?
* A Brief History of Combiners
* Combiners in the Modern Era
* Decepticon Combiner Data Files
* Autobot Combiner Data Files
}}

===Chapter 2: Combiner Characters===
{{collist|2|
* Influences
* Origins
* Role Focuses
* General Perks
* Combiner Rules
}}

===Chapter 3: Combiner Armory===
{{collist|2|
* Upscaling Weapons
* New Equipment Options
* New Other Equipment
* Cybertronian Artifacts
}}

===Chapter 4: Threats And Allies===

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Combaticons'''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Commandos'''</u><ref>Stats for [[Mega-Octane]] and [[Armorhide (RID)|Armorhide]] were included in the [[Transformers Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook]].</ref>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Movor|Movor]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Rollbar (RID)|Rollbar]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Ro-Tor (RID)|Ro-Tor]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Constructicons'''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Hook (G1)|Hook]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
<u>'''Predacons'''</u><ref>Stats for [[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] were included in the [[Transformers Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook]].</ref>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]]}}
|}
{{--}}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Stunticons'''</u><ref>Stats for [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] and [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] were included in the [[Transformers Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook]].</ref>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Aerialbots'''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Superion (G1)|Superion]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Protectobots'''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Blades (G1)|Blades]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Groove (G1)|Groove]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|<u>'''Headmasters and Targetmasters'''</u>
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] and [[Aimless]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and [[Zarak (G1)|Lord Zarak]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] and [[Grax]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] and [[Monzo]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] and [[Arcana]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] and [[Stylor]]}}

==Notes==
===Transformers references===
* The book opens with a transcribed lecture from [[Termagax]], the iconoclastic founder of the [[Decepticon]] movement from [[Transformers (2019 comic)|IDW's rebooted ''Transformers'' comic]]. The text notes that she's giving this lecture at [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]]; like in the IDW comics, she's evidently on civil terms with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and the Autobots. She mentions mentoring the original six Constructicons many millennia ago, in reference to the "Constructicons Rising" arc of ''[[Transformers: Galaxies]]''.
* Attendees include [[Neo-Wheel]]—who flags up the existence of smaller combiners like [[Bumble]], certain [[Mini-Cassette|Recordicon]]s, [[Cog (G1)|Cog]], and his own [[Sixturbo|Turbo Team]]—[[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]], who alludes to the existence of "[[double Targetmaster]]s" like himself, a Generation 1 incarnation of the [[Rescue Bot]] [[Boulder (RB)|Boulder]], and a [[human]] named [[General Blaze]], who originated in a very early draft of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
* In her lecture, Termagax flags up [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] as an example of a combiner team with multiple members—these substitute Constructicons include [[Gravedigger]], who originated in the ''[[Find Your Fate Junior]]'' books, [[Hightower (Classics)|Hightower]], from ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'', and [[Buckethead]] and [[Sledge (Classics)|Sledge]] from ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]''. She also mentions situations where Autobots have become part of the team; in addition to namedropping the ''Uprising'' roster of [[Wideload (G1)|Wideload]], [[Hauler]], and [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]], she also mentions [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], who filled in for the deceased [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] in the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
* While discussing unusual combiners, Termagax mentions the inhabitants of the planet [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]], who debuted in ''[[The Transformers: Windblade|Windblade]]'', and the [[Multiforce]] of [[Victory (planet)|Planet V]], using the name of the planet as it appeared in the [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (manga)|''Victory'' manga]] and ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]''.
* While discussing [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]s, Termagax notes that they are sometimes referred to as "Titanmasters", and that the [[Binary bonding|binary bond]] symbiosis can unlock all kinds of unusual superpowers, as was the case in the 2016 ''[[Titans Return (franchise)|Titans Return]]'' franchise.
* Termagax explains that [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]]s are more powerful than ordinary guns because they directly harness the [[spark]] energy of their larger partner, an idea that originated in the ''Beast Wars: Uprising'' story "[[Trigger Warnings]]".  
* Other forms of combination alluded to, but not directly named, include [[Breast Animal|mechanimals who become armored chestplates]] or [[Action Master partner|helmets]], [[Brainmaster|full-sized robots capable of downloading themselves into a smaller unit]], [[Transtector|non-sentient robot bodies controlled by a single Headmaster]], and "[[mitotic spark]]s".
* Termagax alludes to an old rival who pushed the idea of "efficiency through self-sufficiency". This was the bio quote given to [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]]'s [[Sideways (RID)#Robots in Disguise (2001)|''Robots in Disguise'' toy]]; Termagax mentions that he's since become a Headmaster, alluding to the more famous [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] from ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]''.
* Excerpts lifted from [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]'s personal files feature mention of [[Needler (G1)|Needler]], Bombshell's [[Action Master partner]]. In these files, Bombshell ponders on the origins of combination technology; he notes that while some attribute its development to the [[Guardian Knight|Knights of Iacon]] or the [[Thirteen]], he believes that the first gestalt must have predated the universe itself, a "truly monstrous devil". His musings are evocative of [[Devil Z]], big bad of the ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' anime, who sought to create the perfect fusion between humans and Transformers.
* An article written by [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] is noted to have been published in "Alt2day", a reference to the in-universe "[[ALTernity Today]]" newspaper from the ''AllSpark Almanac'' duology, which had an unofficial online edition hosted at [https://web.archive.org/web/20100716203345/http://alt2day.dyndns.org:80/index.html Alt2Day.com]. In it, Brainstorm investigates the existence of "ancient partnerships" analogous to the modern Headmaster process, and highlights the [[Battle of Aegiax]] as one such example: in IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' comic, this was where [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] battled ancient Headmasters like [[Myskrion]]. The article also flags up "anomalies" in "G Nebula 88", in a seeming reference to the combining heroes and villains of ''Masterforce''... (but see "Errors" for more on that).
* A profile written from [[Vorath]]'s point of view namedrops [[Murk]] and [[Chasm]]; while these were originally robotic [[Titan Master]]s from the ''Titans Return'' line, they've been reimagined as organic [[Nebulan]]s who work for the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]]. 
* Vorath's narration connects the Enigma of Combination to [[Nexus Prime]], as is common for most interpretations of the relic. He notes, however, that some texts refer to him as "Nexus Maximus", his working name before it was changed for legal reasons. 
* In his journal, Vorath contemplates the existence of various potential combiners; he is excited at the prospect of Mindwipe merging into a combiner called "[[Galvatronus (CW)|Galvatronus]]", as was the case in the [[2005 IDW continuity]]; on the other hand, he worries that a Dinobot combiner could be an [[Beast (G1)|uncontrollable beast]], or what might happen if the Autobots pooled their best and brightest into an unstoppable "[[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]" configuration.
* Narration from [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]]'s point of view notes that he was locked away in a [[photonic crystal|photonic containment vessel]] during Devastator's first-ever deployment, evoking the epsode "[[Starscream's Brigade]]". He gloats that the Autobots were forced to rely on their [[Titan (group)|Titan]]s to hold the line—in addition to the well-known [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], he also namedrops [[Rails]], another character who originated in the aborted first draft of ''The Movie''. Other combiner teams alluded to include [[Landfill (RID)|Build King]] and the [[Dinoforce]].
* A letter from [[Hi-Q]] to [[Kari]] mentions the planets of [[Master (planet)|Dominus]], [[Gorlam Prime]], and [[Planet X (Animated)|Planet X]]; as well as fellow Nebulans [[Flintlock]], [[Galen]], [[Leinad]], [[Recoil (G1)|Recoil]], and [[Llyra]].

===Trivia===
* This is the first ''Transformers Roleplaying Game'' sourcebook to have writing by [[Jim Sorenson]], which goes some way to explaining the sheer density of deep-cut lore drops in the first chapter—particularly those referencing the first draft of ''The Transformers: The Movie'', which Sorenson was involved with uncovering.

===Errors===
* Vorath's journal alludes to anomalies in "G-Nebula 88". Assuming that this is meant to be a ''Masterforce'' reference, that should be "[[G Nebula 89|G-Nebula '''89''']]". 
*In the Roles section of the book, a picture of [[Breacher (TF 2010)|Breacher]] is misidentified as [[Pyra Magna]], while on the previous page, a picture of Pyra Magna is misidentified as “Breecher”.
*Like the others in the series, this book is chock full of grammatical and spelling errors, but perhaps the most egregious is [[Aimless]]’s name being spelled as “Aimldeess” in the table of stat blocks sorted by Threat Level.
{{bookstub}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Enigma of Combination}}
[[Category:Generation 1 books]]
[[Category:Reference texts]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game]]