The GM of my usual Saturday table is intending to do something in RWBY's setting... in several months, when our current campaign is likely to finish.

*looks around shiftily*

I am tempted to nudge things toward a swifter resolution via TPK.
Only tempted.

You sort of touched on why yourself: Transformation is limited. That "once per episode" is all you get. Your Gear , on the other hand, can be with you all the time, and in any situation. Even better, it can be stripped to drop off any negative features it has. Like that heavy piece of arm...

Chris Brady wrote:Some Mook Rules would also be a good idea.

An infinity of yeses. Quick generic OpFors help set a baseline when GMing in a new system.

I'm curious as to why Gear only allows a net ability increase on a one-to-one basis, while Transformation gives two-for-one. I can understand that Transformation is supposed to be seldom-used, but the 'seldom' is the magical girl transformation/forming X-tron/firing the wave motion gun that happens ...

As a followup question: Barrier and Teleport can replace defense. Do abilities that improve defense rolls improve them, or are they on their own?