The following deck was crafted as part of a deck building challenge (Double Truckin' Trouble). It doesn't really have a tie to a particular episode, so rather than give you a deep dive into G1 lore, I'll give you a brief overview of what I'm going for and after each card, I'll explain why it made the list. My deck is built around having three leaders who can all enjoy the Matrix of Leadership. I then tried to use each of the character's vehicle modes (2 cycles, a car/truck) to do some fun things.
Characters (stars)
Rodimus Prime Worthy Leader - Ark Wave 1 (12) - Rodimus has a cool ability to dig Matrix of Leadership cards out of the scrap pile. He also gets a nice bump in bot mode when he has the Matrix on him.Chromia Special Ops (8) - She's a leader, so she can enjoy the Matrix. She can dig out white cards from scrap when she flips, which would help get Rapid Response Cycle, Nothin's Gonna Stand in Our Way, and Pop a Wheelie into my hand.
Wreck Gar Junction Leader - Ark Wave 1 (5) - When he flips, you can return an upgrade from the scrap pile to your hand. In alt mode, you can scrap an upgrade and choose one of three actions (pierce, defense, repair). As a leader, he too can enjoy the Matrix of Leadership.
Battle Cards
Ark Wave 1
Racing Stripes (B)(3) - Motorcycle armor that gives defender +def equal to number of different color pips flipped rounded up, then does that much damage to the attacker
Nothin's Gonna Stand in our Way (WG)(3) - Gives a character Pierce 1, allows you to play another one. If you play 3, you can untapped a character with 12 or fewer stars. Chroma's flip ability lets you dig for these cards and if you get three you can untap Rodimus, who is conveniently on the card.
The Touch (OB)(3) - action where Autobot Leaders Bold 4 when attacking, and if they have the matrix of leadership, repair 3.
Bayformers 1
Universal Greeting (O)(3) - Choose an Autobot and Junkion and can chose to give them Bold 1, Pierce 2, or Repair 1.
Dual Smokestacks (O BL)(3) - When put on a truck, requires opponent to do 1 damage to each character or 2 to an enemy of your choice. Seems like a good card to put on Rodimus since he's a truck.
TROP1
Rapid Response Cycle (W)(3) - Utility that gives another character the motorcycle trait, +1 Def, and when defending against someone with more stars +1 Def.
Official Set
4 Wheel Drive (B)(3) - Can't hurt to give Rodimus a base attack of 7 for a turn.
Battering Ram (B)(3) - This can help if there's a bot whose mode is bothering me.
Cargo Trailer (B)(3) - Being a Truck, Rodimus can use these.
Matrix of Leadership (OB)(3) - Two pips, all my bots are leaders, key to Rodimus' power.
Medic's Protective Field (W)(1) - As a white upgrade, Wreck Gar or Chromia can get it when they flip.
Pop a Wheelie (W)(3) - I like having the option to squeeze an extra attack out of one of my motorcycles. If I get Rapid Response Cycle on Rodimus, this card can be huge because he can attack again.
Roll Out (OB)(3) - Two pip colors plus flipping helps all my bots. Their abilities all grab me cards from the scrap pile, which is super helpful.
Start Your Engines (B)(3) - This is here to untap Rodimus and flip him so I can keep digging out Matrix of Leadership.
Team up Tactics (B)(3) - This is the coolest card for Rodimus because his car/truck duality lets you repair 2 damage from him and draw two cards.
