Martial Arts

This page details the rules for Martial Styles originally presented in the Oriental Adventures book. Below includes local changes for use in my homebrew game.

Martial Arts and Maneuvers

Characters spend one Talent point to obtain Martial Arts and they begin with 3 points to select maneuvers from the table below.

To begin, a character must define what type of style their arts fall under. Hard, Soft or Mixed.  When selecting skills 2 of the 3 must fall in to the style form and the last 1 can be of either.

Skills selected must be chosen by rank. A Rank 3 skill can not be chosen unless a rank 1 and 2 have already been selected. This method represents building of more advanced skills on more basic skills and forms the core of the martial art “style”.

Beyond the basic original 3 skills a character may add to their skill repertoire by spending earned character talent points on a 1 for 1 basis. A Martial Artist must find a teacher of either their style or one willing to teach the selected skill. Training for these skills requires twice the usual weapon training. 2 months must be dedicated to the learning of a new skill. Upon completion a character must receive ‘certification’ from their master the skill has been learned properly.

The skill certification test is a die roll that can be attempted once a week. The roll is a d20 rolled under against this formula : ((Wisdom + Intelligence) / 2 ) – Skill Rank

• Wis 16, Int 14 learning a rank 3 skill would be : ((16 + 14) / 2 ) – 3 for a skill roll of 12.

If the roll fails and the student chooses to leave a roll versus this number must be made each time the skill is attempted or they will fail the maneuver. This represents the figure being unsure of the skill.

KICKS

• Circle Kick MA : Normal To Hit roll. 2x damage. If failed, lose next attack to regain balance
• Flying Kick : Requires 2 hex move (including target hex). -3 to hit, 3x damage. If failed, land on ground adjacent to target. Must spend next round to stand (unless another skill can be used)
• Backward Kick : -2 to hit, normal damage, no penalty for failure. Attacks figure in rear hex.

LOCKS

Art of griping in such a way as to prevent action – arm twist to lock joint, choke breathing, etc.

• Choke Hold : -2 to hit, no other action allowed. To render target unconscious must be maintained for 2 rounds. Target may try to break free at -4 to hit. If fails, unconscious for 1-3 rounds.
• Locking Block : Normal to hit, locks attackers weapon (or arm if no weapon is used). Figure may attack with feet at +4 to hit. Target may try to break free on a normal to hit roll. If fail against an armed opponent, take damage as if struck by the weapon.
• Incapacitator : Normal to hit roll versus the specific body part to be rendered incapacitated. Target saves vs. paralyzation. If save is failed the selected body part becomes useless for 24 hours.
• Immobilizing : -2 to hit, success indicates target has been held. Target can try to break using to hit at -6. Figure can continue attacking other targets while holding one but must use another body part. If the Lock attack fails the figure is at -4 to hit on their next attack.

MOVEMENTS

Relies on movement and control of the body using speed, footwork and sudden direction changes.

• Feint : Normal to hit roll. If successful the next attack is at +2. No penalty for failure.
• Prone Fighting : May continue fighting when prone. No other maneuver may be preformed except Instant Stand.
• Immovability : Able to position self to gain save vs. Paralyzation if otherwise knocked down, lifted or thrown.
• Missile Deflection : Works the same as Talent Deflect Arrows.
• Leap : Ability to make leaps. Standing still, leap 4 feet in the air and 3 feet forward plus 1 foot per level. Can flip in mid air to change facing. Running start can leap 8 feet up and 10 feet forward plus 1 per level. Must  have 10 feet of space to run. This action takes 1 attack within the round allowing figure to leap behind a target and attack from the rear. Successful to hit roll to land properly or else fall to the ground in target hex.
• Speed : Figure can move at a faster rate. Combat movement and number of attacks are doubled. Can only be maintained for 5 rounds after that the figure must rest for 1 turn.

Slow Resistance : Immune to Slow effects.

PUSHES

Soft form of combat art using targets motion against them, deflecting, throwing or knocking back.

• Concentrated Push : Normal to hit roll. Push target back 1 foot per level. If more than 3 feet save vs. Paralyzation to remain standing. If target hits solid object, damage as if falling the same distance. Immovability can resist. Failed attacks leave attackers at +2 to hit the figure.
• Sticking Touch : Normal to hit roll. Figure establishes contact with target, gains +2 to hit and -2 AC versus the target. Can anticipate moves and stay with them. To break contact the target must move in a way the figure can not or chooses not to match.
• One Finger : Equivalent of Concentrated Push without touching the target. Range is 1 foot per level. Normal to hit roll. No other action possible in the same round.

STRIKES

• Iron Fist MA : 1d* damage per attack with hands. If the primary body part for the style is not the hands this can only be done 1 attack per round.
• Crushing Blow : Ability to break objects (not metal) (amount modified by hardness and thickness). Requires full round of attacks. Normal to hit roll. Failed roll indicates normal damage to the body part used to attempt the break which will be useless for 24 hours.
• Eagle Claw MA : Can cause 3d* damage on attack. Can use to crush metal objects, or shatter items. No other action allowed in that round.

*Damage note : Damage dice are as per the level of the attacker as follows :

                                1 – 3 : d6   4 -6 : d8    7+ : d10

THROWS

• Fall : Figure suffers only ½ damage from any fall.
• Instant Stand : May use one attack in a round to stand.
• Hurl : Can throw a target d4 feet causing 2x damage. Immovability can resist this. Normal to hit roll to throw. Failure forfeits all other movement and attacks for the round and loses initiative the next.
• Great Throw : Can throw target 1 foot per level. If target is charging at the character the distance is 6 feet plus 1 foot per level. Normal to hit roll. Damage is 3x. Failed roll figure is countered and knocked to the ground and loses initiative the next round.

VITAL AREA

Targeting of vital areas, not reliant on attackers strength. Only usable against Humans / Humanoid opponents.

• Pain Touch : Cause great pain but no damage. Normal to hit roll. Target is -2 to hit and +2 to be hit for 1-3 rounds.
• Stunning Touch : Normal to hit roll. Target saves vs. Paralyzation or is stunned for 1d4 rounds. Attack causes no damage.
• Paralyzing Touch : Normal to hit roll. Target saves vs. Paralyzation or is unable to move for 1d6 rounds. Attack causes no damage.
• Distance Death : Only action allowed in the round. Range is 1 foot per level. Attacker chooses effect of Pain, Stunning or Paralyzing Touch or a normal attack at 3x damage. For Pain there is no save allowed, for Stun the save is at -2. Normal to hit roll in all cases.

WEAPONS

Applies strictly to martial (or marital derived) weapons (this is a DM discretion judgement). Figure must have trained in the use of it to apply these skills. Selecting this Method allows a figure to use a weapon while performing Martial Maneuvers. Without this Method a figure may not wield a weapon when performing Martial Maneuvers. Further, when wielding a weapon the base damage for the figure is the damage of the weapon and is not impacted by the form selected.

• Weapon Catch : Normal to hit roll to catch the opponents weapon (including unarmed combat arms/legs). Weapon is locked and figure is now +2 to hit the target. Target must either drop weapon or use successful to hit attack to break free. Failure means the target can choose to disarm the figure with a to hit roll at +4, this is in addition to the figures normal attacks.
• Weapon Breaker : Only usable against physical weapons, not body parts. Can be used with Bo Stick versus Swords. Normal to hit roll. Target weapon saves versus crushing blow or is broken.
• Steel Cloth : Figure uses a 6 to 10 foot piece of cloth continuously moving and swirling it to retain rigidity. It behaves like a spear for combat purposes except it can not be thrown.

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL TRAINING

Independent of any category or style. Can be learned by any practitioner.

• Meditation : As Shukenja ability. 1 hour equals 2 hours of rest. During this, figure is oblivious to hunger, thirst, heat and cold but is aware of surroundings. No penalties to surprise or initiative.
• All Around Sight : Works the same as Talent Eyes in the Back of Head (Eyes Behind).
• Mental Resistance : +2 to saves against mental attacks (charm, illusion, hold, etc.).
• Blind Fighting : Darkness, blinded or against invisible to hit penalty only -1. Silence cancels the effect of this ability.
• Ironskin : Bonus of -2 AC when wearing no armor.
• Levitation : Ability to Levitate. Can move 5 feet in any direction. No other actions are possible. If concentration is broken the figure falls to the ground. Must rest for 1-6 rounds when done.

NOTES from conversations / emails….

Regarding DEX bonus for Martial Arts.

My ruling is that DEX bonuses DO NOT apply to lower AC in combination with the AC Modifier of the Martial Style selected. Should your AC mod be better than the base AC created by the Style that AC can be used as a base instead.

Example... A PC has chose the Form HARD and Method KICK. These offer only +2 in total to the AC Mod making the Base AC 8. If the character has a Dex of 18 they could substitute this bonus making their Base AC 6. They can NOT stack these to make their Base AC 4.

The same will hold true for spells that establish a new Base AC for a figure. If the new Base is lower than the Martial Arts Base then it can be used but it will not stack. Should the spell state it provides a bonus to the AC, for example a +2 to AC, it can stack with the Base AC provided by the Style. If it states a specific AC then whichever is better, Spell based or Style based, would apply.

If a figure has spent the points to learn a Martial Style then the Base AC modifiers will apply at ALL times regardless of actions.

Weapon Speed for Martial Attacks

Weapon speed for Martial Attacks will be speed 1 for the first and 7 for the second.

Bracers and their Effect on Armor Class

Regarding using Bracers in conjunction with a Martial Style. The use of Bracers will apply in the same manner as Dex bonus. If the Bracers provide a better Base AC the figure can opt to use that stat but the Base AC provided by Bracers will NOT stack with or improve the Base AC as determined by the Style. Aside from game balance issues here I am also using the definition for Bracers of Defense as listed in the DMG as reasoning... "...if armor is actually worn, the bracers will not be effective." I interpret the Base AC of the Style to be an effective armor.  Now.. for a permutation... Should a figure trained in Martial Arts be wearing Bracers AC 8 and have a DEX 16 using the same HARD/KICK style I mentioned earlier the figure would have a choice (an easy one in this example but it does demonstrate my points). He could use the MA Base AC of 8 or the Bracers + Dex effective AC of 6. BUT he could not stack the group to make the AC 4.

Side note regarding Bracers.... Aside from the Magical forms listed in a few locations there are NO formal rules around the use of non-magical bracers and their effects. We have assumed a simple improvement of the AC by 1 step should the figure not be wearing any armor that would negate the effect of the arm guards. This bonus would also not be applicable to a figure using the Martial Arts.

Damage Changes

The damage for Eagle Claw and Iron Fist damage will improve using the following table as determined by the level of the character using the dice listed in place of the base d10:  Level 1 : d6, Level 3 : d8, Level 5 : d10.

Learning These Skills

How will characters learn these new skills.... they will need to find a master to teach them. Time will need to be spent with this master to learn the beginning basics and the 3 chosen skills. Characters will be allowed to drop a spent point in order to have the point needed to become a Martial Artist. And further, drop any other talents to expand on their repertoire. But again... time spent learning and thus 'on the shelf'.

Last Notes

As a last note or notes.... Martial Arts REQUIRE the figure to be without armor in order to execute the maneuvers. This alone may deter many from pursuing this skill set. The availability of these is intended (at this time) to be a very special rollout. The skills are specific to the new area you have entered and as you have seen, it is very reclusive from the remainder of the continent. Therefore, the open knowledge of these skills will have been non-existent. Some ideas may have 'slipped out' and found themselves as the Talents we have now that overlap. But the art itself will have never been openly brought to the open continent. Learning skills is time consuming and requires the consent of a teacher. I will be placing teachers in the 'open world' you have been living in all this time so it will be possible to find teachers. Getting their consent....is another matter.

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