GURPS Martial Arts - Home

Kusarigamajutsu
3 points
Warriors sometimes attach the kusari to another weapon (see
Combination Weapons, p. 214). The kusarigama – a kusari fastened
to a kama (sickle) – is the most famous combination. The chain is
affixed to either the kama’s head or the butt of its handle. This style
covers both cases, but each variation demands its own tactics.
If the chain is attached to the handle, the user wields the
kusarigama in two hands: his master hand holds the kama while
his off hand controls the kusari. He can then “throw” the chain.
The usual target of a throw is the opponent’s face or hands – hopefully
distracting or injuring him, creating an opening to move in
and strike with the kama. This kind of quick attack with both parts
of the weapon is a (realistic) Dual-Weapon Attack.
A related tactic with this kind of kusarigama is to swing just the
kusari in an attempt to entangle or injure the foe. If the intent is to
injure, the attacker aims for the skull or neck. If using the Entangle
technique, he targets the arms, legs, or weapon. The turn after
stunning or entangling his enemy, the wielder rushes in with the
kama for a finishing blow. This is likely to be a Committed or All-
Out Attack – especially if the kusari took the victim’s weapon out
of commission! The kusarigama user might pull his opponent offbalance
prior to such an attack; treat this as a takedown or a Beat
(pp. 100-101).
It’s possible to hold onto the kusari and whirl the kama around
on the end of the chain. This is potentially deadly, as it imparts
greater speed to the kama. However, attacking commits the whole
weapon – the kama isn’t in the master hand, ready to strike and
parry. On a hit, or on an enemy block or parry, the entire weapon
becomes unready!
If the chain is attached at the head, the user can wield the
weapon with one hand. The kusari swings freely and the wielder
attacks with it (pulling his kama swings short of the target) or the
kama. Often he’ll use Entangle to snare the foe’s weapon or pull
him in (again, a takedown or a Beat), and then assault him with
unarmed strikes or a secondary weapon.
Kusarigamajutsu is typically part of a larger ryu – frequently a
secret or hidden element. Some Naginatajutsu (p. 186) schools
teach the kusarigama as a backup weapon. For stylists using other
kusari combinations, use this style but replace Axe/Mace with the
appropriate skill: Jitte/Sai for the kusarijutte, Staff for the staffchain,
and so on. Tactics remain the same.
Skills: Axe/Mace; Kusari.
Techniques: Choke Hold (Kusari); Entangle (Kusari); Return
Strike (Kusari); Targeted Attack (Axe/Mace Swing/Neck); Targeted
Attack (Kusari Swing/Arm); Targeted Attack (Kusari Swing/Skull);
Targeted Attack (Kusari Thrust/Face).
Cinematic Skills: Power Blow.
Cinematic Techniques: Dual-Weapon Attack (Axe/Mace or
Kusari).
Perks: Grip Mastery (Kusarigama); Off-Hand Weapon Training
(Kusari); Unusual Training (Dual-Weapon Attack, Both attacks
must target the same foe).
Optional Traits
Advantages: Ambidexterity.
Disadvantages: Overconfidence.
Skills: Karate; Two-Handed Sword.
180 STYLES
Since arrows weren’t terribly effective against
armor, samurai learned to aim for the face, which was
only rarely protected by a mask. Samurai also practiced
shooting at a full gallop. They used inuomono, or
dog-shooting, to hone their skills. This involved chasing
dogs across open fields and shooting at them –
often with arrows equipped to whistle and warn the
dog. This taught warriors to shoot at fast-moving,
quick-dodging targets.
Legendary archers could hit targets at extreme
range with great accuracy. They used their skills not
only to kill but for “trick shots” – cutting standards
from poles, knocking decorations off helmets, and so
on – to intimidate the foe. Japanese bowmen
employed several peculiar arrowheads specifically for
the purpose (see Special Arrows, p. 232).
Kyujutsu represents the minimum training a samurai
needs to fight from horseback using a bow. Most
receive additional mounted-combat instruction; see
Bajutsu (p. 151). Later samurai and ashigaru (conscript
infantry) might train to fight on foot; see Foot
Archery (p. 181).
Skills: Bow; Fast-Draw (Arrow); Riding (Horse).
Techniques: Combat Riding; Hands-Free Riding;
Horse Archery; Targeted Attack (Bow Shot/Face).
Cinematic Skills: Mental Strength; Pressure Points
(Bow); Zen Archery.
Cinematic Techniques: Pressure-Point Strike.
Perks: Strongbow; Technique Adaptation (Targeted
Attack).
Optional Traits
Secondary Characteristics: Improved Per.
Advantages: Acute Vision; Heroic Archer; Wealth;
Weapon Master (Bow).
Disadvantages: Code of Honor (Bushido).
Skills: Animal Handling (Dog or Horse); Bow Art;
Meditation; Savoir-Faire (Dojo).
Perks: Weapon Bond.
LONGSWORD FIGHTING 5 points
Longsword Fighting was popular in Central
Europe from around 1350 until almost 1600. The
longsword (p. 219) was ideally suited to two-handed
tactics. Fighters regarded one-handed use as secondary,
and didn’t use a shield at all; they either kept two
hands on their weapon or used one hand to grab the
foe while driving in the sword with the other. Masters
rounded out the training with punching, kicking, grappling,
and knife fighting.
Swordsmen typically grasped the longsword in a
Defensive Grip (pp. 109-111), holding the long ricasso
and using the blade to ward off blows. They launched
attacks from both this grip and the normal grip.
Against plate-armored foes, they favored thrusts aimed
at chinks in armor. Some attacks used an inverted
sword: the fighter held his weapon by the blade and
either bashed his opponent with the hilt as if it were a
mace or used the Hook technique with the crosspiece.