If using Martial Arts Rules, the Unarmed Combat Tables aren’t used. Instead all combats, must pick a martial arts style from the chart below. This chart shows Required Maneuvers, Preferred Maneuvers, Optional Maneuvers, and required skills. When a character increases their skill, they must specialize in one of the maneuvers listed in Required Skills. They must pick one they don’t know yet. Once all required maneuvers are selected at least, the character may feel free to choose any maneuver from the preferred or required columns. At the next level, they may choose any maneuver they wish. This system enforces the different martial arts styles and their preferences.
For example, Martin is a white belt in Aikido. In game terms, he is a level 1. He chooses Grapple for his first Maneuver. He studies more and gains another level. At this level, he must choose to specialize in another maneuver. He chooses Pivot Throw. For the two maneuvers, he’s learned, he will be at a +1. However, any other maneuver he chooses will be at a -1.
The optional column also shows some maneuvers are forbidden from use by that style. Mind you, this doesn’t bar someone from performing this maneuver. However, they will be at a -4 penalty doing these maneuvers. It is possible for a character to have one style that forbids the use of one skill, while another style allows it. In these cases, the character may use the maneuver without a -4 penalty, but must use the skill of the style that allows it.
In addition to studying Aikido, Martin is an ex-collegiate Boxer. He has Boxing 5. This allows him to use the jab at level 5; something he hasn’t learned in Aikido at all. However, Boxing doesn’t allow Pivot Throws. If her were trying this without Aikido training, he would have a 5-4 skill; most likely he would fail. However, he can use 2+1, based on his Aikido training.
With Martial arts maneuvers, the “ready” of all actions is 2. On each turn, the character may choose to perform one complex or two simple actions. This would allow them, for example to throw a “1-2” punch like a Hand Strike followed by a Roundhouse. They also could choose to use a single complex maneuver, like a Jab or a Single Leg Takedown. Trying a Single Leg Takedown without eliminating all your opponents defenses might force you to eat two of those one-two punches! The list of Maneuvers details each maneuver, the damage done by that maneuver, and whether it is a complex or a simple action.
Skill | Required | Preferred | Optional | Skills |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aikijutsu (Aikido) | Pivot Throw, Grapple, Hip Toss | Disarming, Sweep, Locks, Throws, Holds | Hand Strikes | Break fall |
Boxing | Hand Strike, Jab, Feint | Parry, Aggressive Parry, Dodge, Roundhouse | None | |
Capoeira | Feint, Leg Sweep, Spin Kick | Kicks | Any | Tumbling |
Chin Na | Grapple, Joint lock, Joint Lock | Punches, Locks, Throws, Holds | Any Kick | Pressure Points |
Gojo Ryu | Aggressive Parry, Sweep, Knee Strike | Any | Any | None |
Hapkido | Front Kick, Back Kick, Jump Kick | Kicks | Punches, Locks, Throws, Holds | |
Is Shin Ryu | Aggressive Parry, Front Kick | Any | No Spin Kick, Jump Kick, or Flying Jump | None |
Jeet Kune Do | Feint | Any | Any | |
Jujitsu (Judo) | Grapple, Joint Lock, Back Kick | Locks, Throws, Holds or Hand Strike | Kicks | Pressure Points |
Kalari | Grapple, Joint Lock, Elbow Strike | Any Punch, Locks, Throws, Holds | Any Kick | |
Karate | Hand Strike, Front Kick, Back Kick | Hand Strikes and Kicks | Any, but Locks, Throws, Holds | None |
Kempo | Spin Kick, Front Kick, Joint Lock | Locks, Throws, Holds, Subduing Strikes | Any | |
Kick boxing | Hand Strike, Front Kick, Jab | Parry, Aggressive Parry, Dodge, Roundhouse | None | |
Kuntao | Front Kick, Back Kick, Arm Lock | Locks, Throws, Holds and Punch | Any | |
Military Hand-to-Hand | Disarm, Hand Strike | Locks, Throws, Holds, Punches, Grapple Attacks, Ear Clap | Any | Stealth, Spear |
Muay Thai | Hook Kick, Elbow Strike, Knee Strike | Any (Including Starred) | Any | |
Ninjutsu | Any | Any | Any | Stealth, Climbing |
Pakua | Dodge, Pivot Throw, Joint Lock | Locks, Throws, Holds or Defense | No Strikes or Kicks | |
Pentjak Silat | Sweep, Elbow Strike, | Any | All | Law |
Police Hand-to-Hand | Grapple, Joint Lock, Pivot Throw | Hand Strikes | All but Kicks | |
Savate | Front Kick, Back Kick | Kicks | Any, No Locks, Throws, Holds, or Grapple Attacks | None |
Self-Defense | None | All Starred | No Flashy Maneuvers | None |
Shaolin Kung Fu | Feint, Front kick, Back Kick | Kicks | Any | None |
Sumo | Grapple, Pivot Throw, Grapple | Only Locks, Throws, Holds | None | None |
T’ai Chi Chuan | Grapple, Hip Toss, Pivot Throw | Locks, Throws, Holds and Hand Strikes | No Kicks | None |
Tae Kwon Do | Front Kick, Back Kick | Kicks and Punches | No Locks, Throws, Holds | |
White Crane | Dodge, Spin Kick, Jump Kick | Hand Strikes and Kicks | No Locks, Throws, Holds | |
Wing Chun | Jab, Knee Strike, Elbow Strike | Any, except High kicks, Jump Kicks, and Spin Maneuvers | None | None |
Wrestling | Grapple, Grapple | Locks, Throws, Holds, Dodge | None | |
Wushu | Hook Kick, Crescent Kick | Kicking, and Spinning Back Fist | Any | None |